Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 8-20-21

Local
City Opens COVID-19 Testing Site In East Tampa
Proud Uncle And Aunt Watch Niece Take Home Olympic Medals
GABRIELLE ‘ Gabby’ THOMAS in 2021 Olympics
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
As the number of new COVID-19 cases rise, the de- mand for testing also in- creases. On Monday, in response to the requests, the City of Tampa has opened an additional testing site in East Tampa.
Anyone wishing to obtain the test at Al Barnes Park, 3101 E. 21st Avenue are asked to pre-register by visiting https://im- pacthealth.com/cityof tampa/.
Both the Al Barnes Park and the Cordelia B. Hunt Center at Al Lopez Park, 4602 N. Himes Avenue, 33614, are open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. To pre-reg- ister for this location visit the website at https://mdcnomi- health.com/signup/fl/COT.
Both sites are open to the public and are free of charge. Individuals without insur- ance can also receive the test- ing. Walk-up and drive-thru testing is also available.
Face Masks are required except during the few mo-
Several cars lined up at Al Barnes Park to receive COVID-19 testing. The testing is taking place from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., daily. (photography by BRUNSON)
Rachelle Vital, R. N., State Representative Dianne Hart, and Brenda Atilos, C. N. A., were at the newly opened COVID-19 test- ing site. (photography by BRUNSON)
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Staff Writer
Yolanda and Jeffrey Amos watched the Olympics anxiously. Their niece, Gabby Thomas, was competing for medals in the women’s 200m and women’s 4x100m relay.
Jeff said, “Watching Gabby as she performed on the world stage and became an Olympic medalist was thrilling. Watching her evolve from an innocent child to an Olympic medal- ist was fantastic.”
Thomas won the Bronze medal in the 200m and a sil- ver medal as a member of the women’s 4x100m relay team.
Amos states that the sunny personality that Gabby showed on camera is exactly how she is off cam- era. The same dazzling per- sonality seen on TV is how she behaves with everyone.
Amos went on to praise
his niece for other achieve- ments in her life. Gabby is a world-class student as well as athlete.
Gabby has a professional contract to run for New Bal- ance and Amos thinks there are many offers to come with her positivity, intelli- gence, and winning attitude.
Gabby also starts a post- graduate internship in epi- demiology at the University of Texas this September. Amos states that Gabby wants to work in the Health Care arena.
Amos has not seen Gabby since the Olympics, but he has spoken to her and says that Gabby is a fre- quent texter.
The family has planned a Homecoming in September for Gabby in Texas, and Jeffrey and Yolanda will be there.
Amos says that Gabby is not finished yet...she has her eyes on Paris for the 2024 Olympics.
ments for the nasal swab.
Who Should Be Tested:
It is recommended that an individual gets tested if he or she has had close contact with someone with con- firmed COVID-19 or if that
person is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as: fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath or diffi- culty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; conges- tion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; or diarrhea.
In addition to these two locations, testing is available at many neighborhood phar- macies, clinics, and area hos- pitals. Over the counter at-home rapid tests are also available for sale at local pharmacies. To learn more about COVID-19 testing visit: www.tampa.gov/emergency- management/COVID- 19/get-tested.
Fake COVID-19 Cards Sold Online
LOUISVILLE, KY. — Across the country, officials are calling for a crackdown on fake COVID-19 vaccine being sold online. But checking proof of vaccina- tion might be a challenge.
Some have sold for as lit- tle as $10, as a way for those who are unvaccinated to game the system.
But as more public places
require proof, many say fraudulent cards may prolif- erate. In Memphis, a ship- ping hub, federal officers have seized more than 3,700 fake vaccination cards, ac- cording to a spokesperson with the U. S. Customs and Border Protection, as of Au- gust 17. Officials said they’re seizing about 15 packages filled with dozens of these
cards each day.
According to the FBI,
making or buying counter- feit cards can result in a fine and up to five years in prison. If you spot one, ex- perts advise you report it di- rectly to the website where it’s being sold. You should also contact both the FBI and your attorney general’s office.
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