In LA County, there are 326,000 cases of COVID-19 as of Nov. 11. Cases increase on an average of 2,000 a day.
Francisco Arenas, registered nurse at the Wesley Health Center in Bell Gardens and Cerritos College alumnus, commented on testing in LA County.
“I’ve seen an increase in testing here. I think people are more comfortable with it now. We’ve been able to get results faster as well, sometimes in 48 hours or less.”
“We have enough tests,” says Brennen Villegas, site manager at the Coronavirus testing site at Bellflower City Hall. “People can get tested every other day if they choose. I actually recommend doing that.”
Health officials recommend getting a test if people feel symptoms of the Coronavirus such as a cough, fever, body aches and trouble breathing.
“I had a sore throat, so I thought it would be best if I got a test,” said Sergio Martinez, an LA County resident who took his first test on Nov. 10. “It felt so weird! I think I went in too far!”
Martinez is referring to the nasal swab test provided at the testing sites.
“One of my coaches at Volitude tested positive, so I wanted to check to be safe,” said Pati Rodriguez, volleyball player for Volitude sports. “I wear a mask when I play, but you never know.”
Cases are rising in almost every state and the U.S. has reached 10 million Coronavirus cases. California has 994,000 cases, which is 9.94% of cases in America.
“We need to stop politicizing masks,” says Arenas. “They don’t just keep you from getting sick, they help stop other people from getting sick. When we talk to each other, we spit, which spreads the virus and masks stop that. We also need to social distance and have small social gatherings – if possible don’t have any social gatherings.”
“People should take extra precautions,” said Villegas. “Masks, distancing and hand hygiene can stop the spread. Like I said, we have enough tests for people and they’re free, so people can come and get tested so they know if they have the virus.”
People can schedule an appointment to get a free test through LA County.
Pfizer pharmaceutical company announced earlier this week that its vaccine is 90% effective and will be available next year, pending FDA approval.
Due to leaders politicizing the virus, residents and health officials are skeptical to take it.
Arenas feels people need to wait. “They need to got through some trial and error. I suggest people wait for tests to be published.”
“People react differently to treatments, there should be more tests before people take the vaccine,” said Natalie Castillo, Medical Assistant at Wesley Medical Center in Norwalk.
“I’m gonna wait, there’s a lot of skepticism about it right now,” said Martinez.
Rodriguez agreed, saying, “I want to wait for the vaccine to be approved by doctors, then I’ll take it.”
Talon Marks, along with doctors and medical experts, encourage everyone to wear a mask, practice social distancing and practice proper hygiene such as washing your hands to stop the spread of the virus.
