PHOTO: ENNO MÜLLER
Southeastern California Conference
The covered parking lot of Loma Linda Academy gives welcome shade to the county health workers that perform COVID-19 testing.
Good Neighbors:
Church and Academy Host COVID-19 Drive-through Testing By Becky St. Clair
I
n early May, San Bernardino County officials were looking for sites large enough to host COVID-19 testing events for the general public. Those tested had to be first responders, essential workers, over the age of 65, or exhibiting at least one symptom, which was a large enough number of people that drive-through testing sites required large, open, easily accessible spaces. One of the first locations that came to their minds was Azure Hills church.
“We have a great relationship with the city,” said Trevan Osborn, executive pastor at Azure Hills. Every year, the city holds its Christmas tree lighting in the church’s parking lot with nearly 1,000 people in attendance, and many community groups meet regularly in the facility. “We’ve really been intentional about offering our facility to the city when they need it, and as a result, we were at the top of their list when they started looking for testing
Osborn said. “To see the different levels of protocol and PPE (personal protective equipment) really struck me, because all these people were willing to put themselves at risk for the sake of helping others.” Ten minutes down the road the following week, on Monday, May 11, Loma Linda Academy (LLA) hosted a similar event, seeing another 250 drive-through test appointments. “We had already been contacted
Cars line up in the parking lot of the Azure Hills church during the COVID-19 testing on May 7.
PHOTO: TREVAN OSBORN
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sites,” he said. So, on Thursday, May 7, a team of nurses, sanitation engineers, and volunteers organized by the city gathered in the parking lot at Azure Hills to begin their day of drivethrough testing for COVID-19. Because it was appointment-only, and because the city’s team was a well-oiled machine, the event went smoothly. The team conducted about 250 tests. “It was really inspiring to watch,”
PA C I F I C U N I O N R E CO R D E R
