Until a vaccine is released, widespread testing represents a community’s best hope to stem the spread of Covid-19. Bedford is an unusually fortunate community with an ongoing program, “Testing Tuesdays,” and a newly-announced Town-sponsored program that is free and available to all Bedford residents.
Testing Tuesdays
Testing has been available to the general public on Tuesday mornings since April in a program undertaken by a pair of local non-profit organizations, Bedford’s First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, led by Senior Minister John Gibbons, and the Bedford Research Foundation, headed by principal scientist and Bedford Board of Health member Ann Kiessling.
As of December 1, the collaborative program has performed 1,870 tests. Individuals paid out-of-pocket and submitted their charges to private insurers, but many tests were offered without charge, supported by generous, public-spirited donors. In all, 525 pro bono tests were performed, including 173 for Bedford’s teachers, first responders, and Town employees. Beginning in early November, the test site opened at 7 am to afford town staff the opportunity to be tested before their workdays began.
First Parish and the Bedford Research Foundation have said that they are committed to working for the common good and plan to continue offering tests to all https://www.bedfordresearch.org/product/first-parish/.
Bedford’s newly-announced Community Testing Program
On December 8, the Town announced the launch of a free community Covid-19 testing program for Bedford residents ages 4 and older. By reservation, the program will begin on Saturday, December 12, and is anticipated to take place each weekend throughout December.
The Bedford Citizen posted the announcement shortly after it was received, and later learned that the available appointments were quickly filled.
Town Manager Sarah Stanton explained, “We heard the call for more testing from our statewide leaders, the Board of Health, the School Committee, parents, and residents, and the Fire Department sprang into action as soon as given the green light from the Commonwealth. This program will provide incredible value to Bedford, and our Town and School employees. I’m thankful our Fire Department was willing to get trained and launch this program in a continued act of service to our community.”
Led by the Fire Department, the newly announced testing program has involved input from and collaboration with the school superintendent, school nurses, Kids’ Club program director, the Board of Health, along with the Health and Human Services Director, Facilities Director, Police Chief, and Town Manager. Outside consultants including, but not limited to, Lahey Clinic, Pro EMS, and the Broad Institute have participated in evaluating the program. Multiple Town officials expressed their support for the Town’s testing program and Covid-19 pandemic management.
Click this link to read the Town of Bedford’s full statement about its newly-announced testing program.
Future testing dates will be posted in The Bedford Citizen, at Bedfordma.gov, and on the Town’s social media channels.
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