[NFBMI-Talk] FW: Corvid19 Testing Access

Fred Wurtzel f.wurtzel at att.net
Sat Apr 18 23:00:37 UTC 2020 

Hello Victor,

I definitely sympathize with all of those front line folks who are selflessly serving all of us despite the danger, this does not reduce or eliminate our right to equal opportunity to be safe and healthy.  I have read some of the information that Fred upton is putting out.  He is the U.S. Representative for the K-zoo area.  He seems very interested in workable solutions.  He is well-placed to influence the Corvid19 legislation which is being written, now.  I suggest you contact his office and let them know your thoughts.  I am not in a position to offer a broad solution, but I know that you and I are covered by the same constitution and laws as everyone else.  Blindness does not cancel out our right to safety and health.  Because something is difficult does not mean we shouldn't do it.  It is a hallmark of the NFB that we do not give up.

Warmest Regards,

Fred

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBMI-Talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Victor Marques via NFBMI-Talk
Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2020 6:36 PM
To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Victor Marques <therealvictormarques at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NFBMI-Talk] FW: Corvid19 Testing Access

Fred,

This is something that I have tried to address directly to the public health departments in both Kalamazoo (where I live) and Allegan County (where I work).  Allegan County does not even have testing in that county and are sending people to Holland, Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo, which affects the population that I work with (the uninsured), who are likely also not to drive.  In my case, my wife and I are both blind and would likely have no form of transportation to get tested:  I can’t imagine a friend or family member would be willing to drive me if I was likely positive, the bus is no longer running, paratransit is screening out riders with symptoms, and Uber/Lyft would likely refuse me if I told them I was likely positive and needing to get tested.  This is a serious public health issue, and a piecemail solution like saying that each local center should make their own arrangements is not going to work.  There should be a state-wide contract with some form of non-emergency medical transport provider that could transport those with disabilities, blind persons or even those without transportation, even if there is a reasonable fee attached to that service.  I hope this issue reaches the higher levels of government, because my efforts locally have fallen on deaf ears:  I keep being told that they are doing the best they can to keep their workers safe, which I understand, but as it stands now I would probably have to call an ambulance if symptoms got so bad that I couldn’t manage, and likely wouldn’t be able to access testing at all if the symptoms were manageable.

Thanks
Victor


> On Apr 18, 2020, at 5:21 PM, Fred Wurtzel via NFBMI-Talk <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello,
> 
> 
> 
> I read an article, below, about drive through testing for Corvid 19 
> around the state.  I am concerned that blind folks have access whether 
> or not we are in a car.
> 
> 
> 
> I reached out to Bill Robinson, Director of Michigan Bureau of 
> Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) because I am concerned about the 
> large numbers of services being provided via a "drive up" lane.  
> Corvid19 testing is of particular concern since it will, over the next 
> few months, become more and more important to everyone as we decide 
> how to live our daily lives.  I called the Ingham County Health 
> Department to find out if a person could walk up for a test.  I was 
> told that it was from a car, only.  So, I wrote to Bill since he is 
> inside Michigan Government and is the visible representative within 
> government for blind persons.  I am pleased with his responsiveness and attention to this issue.
> 
> 
> 
> At the end is a list of testing sites as of the date of the release.  
> There may be more by now since they are trying to open more sites all the time.
> Each of you may wish to call the number for your area to determine 
> what is happening for you.  I only called Ingham County.  The more 
> calls they get the more importance they will put on accessibility for 
> everyone.  To me, the standard is to have access on a par with anyone driving through.
> 
> 
> 
> Below is an edited version of his replies.  Of course, they are in newest to
> oldest order.    I edited out all the email stuff, but left the pertinent
> information as it came to me.
> 
> 
> 
> Warmest Regards,
> 
> 
> 
> Fred
> 
> 
> 
> From: Robinson, William (LEO) [mailto:RobinsonW7 at michigan.gov]
> Subject: RE: Corvid19 Testing Access
> 
> 
> 
> During our call today there was a FEMA hosted call that I asked one of 
> my team to attend.  I asked them to raise the question of 
> accessibility of testing sites. They did not get a chance to ask the 
> question as I had framed it using your input and our collective 
> concerns however here is what FEMA said about it:
> 
> Disability Access Concerns Questions: 
> 
> FEMA ODIC: Linda Mastandrea- Physical access to testing sites: It is 
> important to identify gaps in service as it relates to testing sites 
> so that we can identify solutions. We know there are issues with drive 
> up testing
> sites- blind and visually impaired may not be able to access the sites 
> if they are strictly drive up and similar to individuals who use 
> public transportation and are in wheelchairs with ramps in the back of 
> the vans, they cannot easily access the sites. Some sites have made 
> policy adjustments to address issues and have come up with solutions 
> at the local levels. HHS
> Feedback: That is a very good point about the drive up, HIPPA guidance 
> addresses walk up with the drive-up testing sites so that everyone can 
> be assisted equally. This requires some thought through. Same with 
> making sure hospitals have DME (durable medical equipment) for 
> individuals with disabilities or mobile devices that may be needed. 
> Reasonable standards are still in play, but it is important to note 
> that sometimes what is reasonable under an emergency circumstance can 
> be tough, but none-the-less it should still be followed. For example: 
> It does not take much money to ensure the testing sites are walk-up 
> rather than strictly drive-up. The guidance came out on March 28 and 
> we do want to update it and have the appetite to do so, but the wheels of government turn so slowly.
> 
> 
> 
> Also here are some helpful links that my team pulled as well as they 
> did some research
> 
> On another note: Caitlin tested the accessibility of the 
> "Self-Checker" tool found on the CDC website and another one which was 
> published by the City of Chicago. She determined that the City of 
> Chicago site read clearly. I pasted the links below as well as her 
> responses. These might be good resources to share with participants who seek such a tool to help guide them in making
> decisions and seek appropriate medical care:    
> 
> 
> 
> CDC: 
> https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.htm
> l 
> <https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww
> .cdc.g 
> ov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fsymptoms-testing%2Ftesting.html&data=02
> %7C01%
> 7CRobinsonW7%40michigan.gov%7C533f745b75f448bcfe6208d7e2483c91%7Cd5fb7
> 087377 
> 742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637226672487801471&sdata=HdXHwtScxG3Xc
> leOPzT ubQBG2as9W1Lnv%2FzJGyBupqA%3D&reserved=0>
> 
> The first web site from the CDC read very well with JAWS.  I am using 
> the most current version of JAWS, which is JAWS 2020.  I opened this 
> site in Firefox and Internet Explorer on the state laptop and in 
> Chrome on my personal laptop.  My personal laptop runs an earlier 
> version of JAWS, but it still can receive updates for this version.  
> Anyway, I was able to read
> everything: links, buttons, headings, and the like were labeled.
> Information displayed if I pressed enter on links.  However, the "self 
> checker" was problematic in all cases of using JAWS and any browser.  
> A message appeared, stating something about how I'd have to agree to 
> given parameters before continuing.  It also mentioned some 
> partnership with CDC and Microsoft.  No matter what I did, that is, no 
> matter the browser, version of JAWS, or keystroke, I could not access 
> the "I agree" portion independently.
> 
> 
> 
> City of Chicago:
> https://publichealth.uic.edu/uic-covid-19-public-health-response/covid
> -19-re sources/accessible-covid-19-testing-decision-chart/
> <https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpub
> lichea 
> lth.uic.edu%2Fuic-covid-19-public-health-response%2Fcovid-19-resources
> %2Facc 
> essible-covid-19-testing-decision-chart%2F&data=02%7C01%7CRobinsonW7%4
> 0michi 
> gan.gov%7C533f745b75f448bcfe6208d7e2483c91%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef
> 47225d 
> 1%7C0%7C0%7C637226672487801471&sdata=v4PNtMeeiZB%2BaykOhO6qiLLc0cFqgmJ
> UaQ3xS
> 0hoSYk%3D&reserved=0>
> 
> The second web site also read very clearly with JAWS.  I checked it 
> using IE and Chrome.  The drop-down menu read accurately and I could 
> move between the yes and no options.
> 
> 
> 
> I hope this is helpful.
> 
> My best,
> 
> Bill
> 
> 
> 
> From: Fred Wurtzel <f.wurtzel at att.net <mailto:f.wurtzel at att.net> >
> Sent: Monday, April 13, 2020 11:09 AM
> To: Robinson, William (LEO) <RobinsonW7 at michigan.gov 
> <mailto:RobinsonW7 at michigan.gov> >
> Subject: RE: Corvid19 Testing Access
> 
> 
> 
> Hi Bill,
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks for the very quick response.  
> 
> 
> 
> Regarding your question about resolutions, I hesitate to try to 
> engineer a solution.  This is a complicated, to me, matter which will 
> need to involve experts in infection control, etc.  To me, either of 
> your ideas seem feasible, though, as you say, number 2 defeats the 
> quick turn-around of the quick testing as described.
> 
> 
> 
> I think the important point is that the health care system includes 
> persons with disabilities, in this case, blind people, in their planning.
> 
> 
> 
> Again, thanks for getting back to me.
> 
> 
> 
> Warmest Regards,
> 
> 
> 
> Fred
> 
> 
> 
> From: Robinson, William (LEO) [mailto:RobinsonW7 at michigan.gov]
> Sent: Monday, April 13, 2020 11:01 AM
> To: Fred Wurtzel <f.wurtzel at att.net <mailto:f.wurtzel at att.net> >
> Subject: RE: Corvid19 Testing Access
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks Fred. I will see if I can get someone's attention and get back 
> to you. Would it be feasible to either -
> 
> 1)   Offer a first responder administer the test; and/or
> 
> 2)   An overnight delivery of the test with an overnight pouch for return
> 
> 
> 
> I understand 2 may appear slower but that may be the only alternative 
> if very rural area.
> 
> 
> 
> William A. Robinson, III
> 
> Director, Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP)
> 
> 
> 
> From: Fred Wurtzel <f.wurtzel at att.net <mailto:f.wurtzel at att.net> >
> Sent: Monday, April 13, 2020 10:57 AM
> To: Robinson, William (LEO) <RobinsonW7 at michigan.gov 
> <mailto:RobinsonW7 at michigan.gov> >
> Cc: 'Mark Eagle' <markaeagle at yahoo.com <mailto:markaeagle at yahoo.com> 
> >; 'Mark Grebner' <mark.grebner at gmail.com 
> <mailto:mark.grebner at gmail.com> >; 'Murphy, Laura' 
> <Laura.Murphy at mail.house.gov <mailto:Laura.Murphy at mail.house.gov> >; 'Michael Powell'
> <mpowell7583 at yahoo.com <mailto:mpowell7583 at yahoo.com> >
> Subject: Corvid19 Testing Access
> 
> 
> 
> Hello Bill,
> 
> 
> 
> I just called the Ingham County Health Department on the number listed 
> below regarding "drive-through- Corvid19 testing.  There is a 
> relatively complicated process to access testing.  If, following the 
> process, the person is determined eligible for a test they must 
> utilize a drive-through facility operated by Sparrow Hospital.
> 
> 
> 
> I asked if there is any provision for someone who does not drive.  
> They said there is not.  I only called the Ingham County number.  I 
> did not check any of the other Michigan sites.
> 
> 
> 
> I feel there ought to be provisions for persons who do not drive.  I 
> will do anything I can to assist in assuring that blind folks who do 
> not drive have equal access to testing.  I am writing to you since you 
> are inside state government and will have better channels to address 
> this matter than I Or anyone from the NFB of Michigan presumably do.
> 
> 
> 
> Thank you for any assistance you may be able to provide.
> 
> 
> 
> Warmest Regards,
> 
> 
> 
> Fred
> 
> 
> 
> Michigan planning to open 9 new drive-thru test sites By Adrienne 
> Roberts Detroit Free Press
> 
> 
> 
> The state of Michigan will open nine new drive-thru coronavirus 
> testing sites across the state and will expand testing capacity in 
> Detroit, an announcement that comes a day after the state saw its 
> deadliest day so far during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
> 
> 
> 
> Few details were made available about the Detroit site's location or 
> opening date, but it will aim to test at least 750 people a day. New 
> drive-thru sites will open in Atlanta, Bad Axe, Battle Creek, Bay 
> City, Benton Harbor, Jackson, Kalamazoo and Traverse City on Monday, and in Flint on Wednesday.
> Drive-through testing sites already operating in Grand Rapids, Lansing 
> and Saginaw will be expanded.
> 
> 
> 
> "Better access to testing and quicker results are critical to our 
> public health officials who are fighting coronavirus and to our 
> residents who have symptoms of COVID-19 and need answers, treatment 
> and peace of mind," said Michigan Gov. Whitmer in a press release. "More testing will save lives."
> 
> 
> 
> The testing sites, made available through a partnership with the state 
> of Michigan, health centers, Michigan Primary Care Association and 
> NxGen Laboratory in Grand Rapids, will increase Michigan's daily 
> COVID-19 testing capacity by about 40%. Each site will plan to test 
> more than 100 people per day starting Monday, the release said.
> 
> 
> 
> Detroit offers drive-through testing for residents and others who have 
> a doctor's prescription at the State Fairgrounds site near 8 Mile Road 
> and Woodward Avenue. The city of Detroit was also the first city in 
> the country to begin using the kits from Abbott, which produce results 
> in about 15 minutes.  A standard test would take days to produce results.
> 
> 
> 
> There are criteria to be tested at the sites. People should first 
> contact the site's patient screening telephone line or their health 
> care provider before driving to the site, the release said. 
> Hospitalized patients Symptomatic healthcare workers Patients in 
> congregate facilities with symptoms, including those at: Long-term 
> care or elderly living facilities, jails or prisons, homeless 
> shelters, residential foster care facilities, other group living 
> settings Patients age 65 and older with symptoms Patients with 
> underlying conditions with symptoms First responders with symptoms 
> Critical infrastructure workers with symptoms
> 
> 
> 
> Drive-through test locations across Michigan: 
> 
> 
> 
> Atlanta (between Gaylord and Alpena): Thunder Bay Community Health 
> Service,
> 11899 M-32, 989-733-6827. 
> 
> 
> 
> Bad Axe: Great Lakes Bay Health Centers, 876 N. Van Dyke Rd, 989-623-0137. 
> 
> 
> 
> Battle Creek: Grace Health, 181 W. Emmett St., 269-441-3463. 
> 
> 
> 
> Bay City: Great Lakes Bay Health Centers, 3884 Monitor Rd, 989-671-2000. 
> 
> 
> 
> Benton Harbor: InterCare Community Health Network, 800 M-139, 855-869-6900. 
> 
> 
> 
> Flint: Atwood Stadium, parking lot entrance off West 1st Street, 
> details to come. Opens Wednesday.
> 
> 
> 
> Grand Rapids: Cherry Health, 200 Sheldon Street SE, 616-965-8347. 
> 
> 
> 
> Jackson: Center for Family Health, 505 N. Jackson St., 517-748-5363. 
> 
> 
> 
> Kalamazoo: Family Health Center, 117 W Paterson St., 269-488-0804. 
> 
> 
> 
> Lansing: Ingham Community Health Centers, 2316 S. Cedar St., 517-887-4517. 
> 
> 
> 
> Saginaw: Great Lakes Bay Health Centers, 501 Lapeer Ave., 989-293-3492. 
> 
> 
> 
> Traverse City: Northwest Michigan Health Services, 10767 Traverse 
> Highway, 231-642-5292.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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