Dr. Charles Rouse and Dr. Laura Larson, two highly respected medical figures in our community have been working in concert to assemble a team to join them in the efforts of making free testing available in our community. The support quickly grew to six Churches spread out over the county. When they approached the idea to set up multiple test sites over a two week period with Chairman Michelle Morgan, she reached out to the Carroll County Sheriffs Department and Emergency Management and the planning began. The hopes behind the community wide effort is to assist in getting more people tested and relieve the burden of going to a Hospital or Doctors office and paying for a test. The more people tested the more lives can be saved. Some people may not know if they have the virus because they may not exhibit any symptoms. People who are asymptomatic may pass the virus and never know they have it before exposing other individuals.
Tim Padgett, Emergency Management Director, stated It is a privilege to participate and assist in this effort to support the Churches efforts to provide a safer and healthier community for everyone. Chairman Morgan and Director Padgett have been working very closely with Major Craig Dodson from the Carroll County Sheriffs Office to ensure the testing sites are prepared with the safest entry and exit strategies for the community to participate and not have to wait in long lines or cause a traffic jam.
Major Dodson advised, The Sheriffs Office is working to provide a clear traffic safety plan to ensure that testing is as safe and efficient as possible.
Chairman Morgan has visited several testing sites in recent weeks after the idea developed and even participated in being tested for COVID-19 herself at the site in Coweta County so that she can share her experience with the citizens in hopes that it will make people feel more comfortable getting tested. Chairman Morgan advised, The test was not bad as I anticipated and I learned so much from visiting the testing sites and participating in having the test performed. I knew it was a must for Carroll County and I thank Dr. Rouse, Dr. Larson, and the Churches for spearheading this community wide effort.
The goal is to not just slow the spread, but to stop the spread by continuing to test, educate, and hoping those who test positive will quarantine to keep others safe so together we can beat this virus. We are so lucky to have a group of respected Church leaders who have come together to plan and gather support for their efforts. As you may have seen in the early stages of COVID-19 places of Worship were linked to hot spots and as many Churches plan to move towards gathering together again while taking extra steps to ensure everyones safety, the congregations have all agreed they will feel safer and healthier walking into a Worship Service knowing they took the extra step to get tested.
The idea branched off into not just testing the congregations but extended the effort community wide. Carroll County is so lucky to have such strong spiritually leaders who not only look out and pray for their congregations but also extend their generosity beyond to our citizens and community as a whole.
Testing sites, dates, times, and further information is as follows:
NO appointment & NO symptoms are needed
WALK-UPS are welcome
MONDAY JUNE 8, 2020
MOORES CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST
REVEREND EDWARD LANDRUM
120 N. PARK STREET
CARROLLTON, GA 30117
TUESDAY JUNE 9, 2020
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP CATHOLIC CHURCH
MSGR. JAMIE VARON/GYLA GONZALEZ
CARROLLTON, GA 30117
TUESDAY JUNE 10, 2020
REVEREND DR. WOODROW JOHNSON
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF CARROLLTON
563 OLD BREMEN ROAD
CARROLLTON, GA 0117
MONDAY JUNE 15, 2020
- BERNICE BROOKS/ PASTOR JAMES E. POTTS
MOUNT PROSPECT BAPTIST CHURCH
133 THOMAS DORSEY DRIVE
VILLA RICA, GA 30180
TUESDAY JUNE 16, 2020
PASTOR FREDERICK RICKS
PLEASANT GROVE MISSIONARY
BAPTIST CHURCH
85 EAST HIGHWAY 5
ROOPVILLE, GA 30170
WEDNESDAY 17, 2020
PASTOR VINCENT DORTCH OF ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH
CLEM COMMUNITY CENTER
2675 HIGHWAY 16
CARROLLTON, GA 30116REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED/ TESTING 9:00 AM 4:00 PM
1-800-847-4262 OR VISIT: HTTPS://COVID19.DPH.GA.GOV/
Sponsored By:
Georgia Department of Public Health
Supported By:
Dr. Charlie Rouse
Dr. Laura Larson
Michelle Morgan, Carroll County Commission Chair
Carroll County Sheriffs Office
Carroll County Emergency Management
