Local organization seeks to make COVID-19 testing more inclusive for communities of color – Madison.com

Our main goal was to get more Black and brown people in our communities tested, said Elizabeth Borchardt, a Mellowhood staff member. A lot of them may have barriers to getting to the other testing sites or they may be intimidated by the National Guard at the Alliant Energy Center, so Coach came up with the idea of bringing the testing to them where they feel comfortable.

Serving and aiding people of color has remained a topic of concern for public health officials and local leaders alike, as tensions continue to grow following the death of George Floyd and the protests that followed.

We recognize that when we set up the Alliant Energy Center site, while its great as a large testing site for a mass operation to take place, it didnt have that cultural competency and it wasnt super accessible, said Aurielle Smith, who leads Public Healths Policy, Planning and Evaluation division.

By providing a space in which community members are encouraged to ask questions, to say whats been stopping them from getting tested and create a more positive attitude toward testing, she said, site leaders hope to minimize fear.

Weve done a few tests where people have been anxious about testing so we let them watch us get tested, Smith said. I think the more we talk about testing and the more people share their experience about testing, the less fear will continue in our communities.

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Local organization seeks to make COVID-19 testing more inclusive for communities of color - Madison.com