Businesses complain about COVID test line
Albany
Deryl Mccray watches Albany County Executive Dan Mccoy’s COVID -19 briefings religiously.
As nearly every briefing of late has announced a new record in overnight positive cases or hospitalizations, all Mccray has to do is look out the window for an explanation as to why.
Mccray, who has owned Bricks Barber Shop on Central Avenue for more than two decades, has been raising concerns for more than a month about COVID -19 testing practices at the pharmacy next door to his business: Central Avenue Pharmacy.
Taking to Facebook, Mccray has posted multiple
photos and videos that show long, crowded lines on the sidewalk in front of his business as people wait to get their rapid COVID -19 test at the pharmacy, which does not take appointments and offers tests on a firstcome, first-served basis.
“It’s poorly operated. It’s irresponsible testing,” Mccray said. “You would think being that COVID -19 is the hot topic throughout the world, and the severity of the pandemic and virus, that you would have the proper navigators assisting the community to keep everyone standing in line safe along with the community members and businesses.”
The pharmacy is a private enterprise that local officials said receives its tests from the state Health Department.
Earlier this year, Albany County opened up other testing done by the Whitney J. Young Jr. Health Center to serve people in the city of Albany who do not have cars and might not be able to go to drive-thru testing sites, like the one the state runs at the University at Albany. But that testing is also done by appointment after someone is screened over the phone.
People seeking COVID -19 tests at Central Avenue Pharmacy must wait outside to fill out their paperwork and to get their rapid test results. The website stipulates that those who can wait in their cars or nearby homes should do so. However, neighboring business owners say the lines are still exorbitant, and have been for over a month now. Footage outside the pharmacy shows its navigator, as well as some people standing in line, not wearing masks.
On multiple occasions, Mccray has had to ask those waiting in line to step aside so that his clients can come into his store. He’s lost a number of clients who are fearful of contracting the virus from the outdoor crowds — a difficult blow to his business already suffering from the pandemic.
Some clients, Mccray said, call him and ask what time the testing starts next door. But even opening up his shop as early as 6 a.m. proves fruitless, as the crowd, he says, usually begins around 6:30 a.m. According to the pharmacy website, testing begins at 9:30 a.m. and the 100th position is usually given around 10 a.m. The testing takes place until about 4 p.m. or so.
Charles Whitaker, who owns Juices Forever, said business has been slow for him ever since the testing site opened. With limited parking and long lines outside — plus not knowing who is and is not sick — his business has not been able to attract as many patrons.
“Customers are just going right by because they don’t want to be around that,” he said.
Albany County officials said the county has no control over the pharmacy’s testing protocol. The state Health Department said in an email that it provided 1,000 antigen tests to the pharmacy last month and is working with Albany County regarding crowd concerns.
Mayor Kathy Sheehan’s office also said the city has no jurisdiction over distribution of tests at pharmacies, but that she has asked the state health department to request the pharmacy move to a reservation-only system.
“This congregation of people in front of local businesses and residences puts an entire community in danger,” said David Galin, Sheehan’s spokesperson.
However, Central Avenue Pharmacy told the Times Union they would not consider moving to a reservation-only system. Sarah Walton, director of pharmacy operations and supervising pharmacist, said such systems are a major issue to the testing landscape today because they cause major backups.
“People have to call around and get appointments for a week or two out, which is not helpful if you wake up that morning and you’re sick,” Walton said.
Walton said the pharmacy implemented a new system Tuesday to combat the crowding as best as they could. Now, pharmacy employees are going down the line of test-seekers to get their names and phone numbers. Those seeking COVID -19 tests are then given a form and asked to leave and come back when they get a phone call or text message.
“We’re trying to do our best here,” Walton said. “Obviously, things happen and we can’t always prevent people from gathering and all of that, but we are trying to make changes to our system on a daily basis to try to figure out what system is going to work the best.”
Meanwhile, Mccray and his neighboring business owners are scared for their own health and the health of their patrons — particularly considering the testing site is located in a community predominantly of color.
“I understand that accessible testing is necessary in our community, but we need safe testing,” Mccray said. “When we have irresponsible testing like this that’s allowed to happen in our communities, how can one not think that this is a deliberate action against people of color?”