COVID-19 Continued from page 12
lack of health insurance coverage, at least 2,700 were undocumented. I remember the stories of these 2,700 undocumented immigrants. I will never forget one of these stories. Newcomers to New York from Africa, an ASC client’s husband became symptomatic of COVID-19. Uninsured and undocumented, a fear of costs delayed their accessing care. When his symptoms worsened, this client brought her husband to an emergency room. He then died from complications related to COVID-19. Admitting him to the emergency room was the last time she saw him before
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS March 3, 2022 - March 9, 2022 • 29 he was buried in New Jersey, Health Resources and Servic- orrhea, and syphilis. ASC I am proud of the work we which prevented her from es Administration. We built also rolled out a COVID-19 did and continue to do in the preparing his body for burial, an outdoor testing center to Helpline and secured addi- spirit of improving the health as is customary in her fami- engage clients on the streets tional funding and support of the public. And here’s what ly’s Islamic traditions. of Harlem. The New York City from the Health Resourc- I remember when testing AfClients began calling ASC, and New York State depart- es and Services Administra- rican diaspora immigrant asking for COVID-19 test- ments of health did not cer- tion, New York City Vaccine communities for COVID-19 ing because our agency, they tify all community-based Referral Bonus Program, Test in New York: nio far. Transsaid, was the only provid- organizations as a COVID-19 and Trace Corps, and the lated from Wolof, my materer trusted by African diaspo- testing center, so ASC had to New York City Department of nal language, it means we are ra immigrant communities in prove to these departments Health and Mental Hygiene. one. We are one communiNew York. Many other pro- that we could do it. Community health work- ty—together, but separate— viders often required insurAnd we did. Supported by ers, peer vaccine ambassa- navigating complex health ance and identification for staff representing more than dors, outreach specialists, and legal systems during an services. 20 countries and speaking and youth workers distribut- unprecedented pandemic in Countless stories like this more than 27 languages, ASC ed personal protective equip- the United States. compelled me and my col- administered over 780 PCR ment; navigated community leagues at ASC to build—from tests and distributed over 400 members to testing and vacHalimatou Konte is a pulthe ground up—a culturally- at-home testing kits between cination; and broadcast- monologist and the health conscious testing program for August 2020 and February ed multilingual messages to program director at African COVID-19. We sourced sup- 2022. The agency integrat- dispel misinformation. Since Services Committee, a multiplies from the New York State ed COVID-19 testing into its November 2020, they have service human rights agency Department of Health, con- suite of testing services for delivered more than 300,000 in Harlem dedicated to assisttracted a lab to process PCR HIV, tuberculosis, hepati- masks to communities dis- ing immigrants, refugees, and tests, and submitted provider tis, diabetes, hypertension, proportionately infected and asylees from across the Afrireimbursements through the pregnancy, chlamydia, gon- affected by the virus. can diaspora.
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