Dumas Advances Free COVID Testing this Friday
On Friday July 23, Infectious Disease Expert, Virologist Dr. Lane Rolling, M.D., Director of Clinical Education and Research at the Tropical Pathology and Infectious Disease Association came to Dumas and shared great insights at a gathering on how to deal with COVID—19 and the multiple variants. Those in attendance all left with truer picture of concern and great insight to take back to their family and the community. He added Dumas to the tour thanks to The College of Aspiring Artists and the Urban League under the direction of CEO, Scott Hamilton as a part of the “Keeping Arkansans Alive” Tour.
Beyond the information session, COVID-19 Testing now comes to Dumas through a collaborative partnership between Dr. Karen Crowell, MD of Pinnacle Family Medicine and Alethea Mays, Chief Executive Officer of RHEA Medical Support Services. The testing is Friday July 30 from 1pm—4pm at ASC Property Management located at 710 Meador Drive which is directly behind Mad Butcher. It is free and the process is collecting a saliva sample (spitting in a lab cup). It will be held at other sites including The Legacy Center in West Dumas as more testing is scheduled. This is a long-term commitment to bring containment to all of Arkansas. Hundreds can be testing at each testing engagement.
Dr. Rolling dealt with the root cause of the virus, how testing and vaccinating is best implemented, which vaccines are effective and for how long and key strategies and treatments that are here and forthcoming. He affirmed the ‘hot spot’ that Arkansas is in with the virus and why we must be proactive.
He recommended that getting tested and frequent testing is the first step. This process notifies each person if they are infected and if so, how to get the best guidance that gives the best opportunities for living, beyond contacting the virus. Dr. Rolling emphasized that several initial actions when COVID—19 morphed into pandemic stages were premature and he advised the audience how the facts and his expert insights must be read, heard, and put into practice. This starts with getting and applying the proper professional protection equipment (PPE) and especially with testing. Antiviral mask, antiviral soap, mats, etc. He is one of the leading Black biological warfare experts and experts on COVID-19.
The session with Dr. Rolling included advanced discussion with Dumas REDI leaders, Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr., Annette Cowen, and Linda Rogers who led the discussions with how they are doing all they can within the community to keep people well nourished with food distribution and now well-educated and cared for through their community outreach efforts and initiatives. They emphasized that actions must begin ASAP. So, one week beyond the session, the testing begins. A full report is forthcoming.
“Keeping Arkansans Alive” starts in Dumas. We see the science, the sense and sincerity that came from this session. We know that the time to act is now. We know that we have been called by God and we are getting help from God to help His people. We have an expert in Dr. Rolling and the team that’s coming to lead the testing guiding this initiative. We know that there are multiple conversations and efforts that when best combined on a united front will bring hope, help and healing to all of Arkansas and we see Dumas as ‘now action’ community. Here we go and we pray that everyone gets on board this week as we begin the testing, etc.,” stated Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr.
