The Knights of Columbus Mount Vernon Council 5998 hosted a COVID-19
testing clinic for more than 250 Alexandria residents Aug. 1. The council, in
collaboration with the Hispanic Ministry of Good Shepherd Church in Alexandria
and Fairfax County Health Department, provided the targeted community testing to
increase resources for an area identified as higher risk of spread, according
to Sharon Arndt, director of Community Health Development for the Fairfax
County Health Department.
From 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., participants filed into Mount Vernon
Columbus Club in Alexandria and were met by “greeters,” who escorted them to
their testing station. Participants with symptoms of COVID-19 received their
results on-site, while those without symptoms received their results a few days
later. The entire process took less than 15 minutes.
In addition to the testing, participants were provided guidance
on accessing food, housing and other socioeconomic needs.
Debbie Grim, who came to the clinic for testing, thanked the
Knights of Columbus for offering their facility for the health department’s
testing. “I was very pleased how well run and professional they were,” she
said. “And the location was very convenient. After the testing, they took the
time to talk to me regarding precautions of COVID-19.”
“The success of public health is dependent upon what we do
together as a community, and we are so thankful for our community leaders like
Good Shepherd Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus for providing us this
important connection to a neighborhood at higher risk for COVID-19 spread,”
said Arndt.
When the Fairfax health department first approached Grand Knight Maurice
Chau, he embraced the idea of hosting the event. He worked with the president
of the Mount Vernon Columbus Club, Past Grand Knight Mike Murphy to use the
facility, and gained the support of fellow Knights.
“It was an honor to work with the Fairfax County Health
Department and serve our community,” Chau said.
After the testing, the building underwent a thorough cleaning. While
the council does not have additional testing planned, they would consider
hosting again if asked, said District Deputy Joe Tiago.
“As members of the Knights of Columbus, we’re called to serve our
neighbors, particularly in times when needs are more pressing like it is in
this pandemic,” he said. “Uniting with health professionals to provide valuable
service to our community is in line with our principles of charity and unity.”