Before the COVID drive-through testing site at Monterey Peninsula College had to close temporarily due to poor air quality from the California wildfires, Health Services Specialist Lauren R. had been working there many hours a week. She had become accustomed to seeing cars lined up before 8 a.m. and hearing the stories of people who were deeply grateful they could get a test at the site, which was established through a partnership with Monterey County officials and PPMM.
“One patient who drove up for a test told me that he was going to a funeral for a family member who had died of coronavirus,” Lauren said. “He said everyone at the funeral would be wearing a mask. He still wanted a test.”
She said it’s not unusual for people to tell her that they have lost their job or health insurance and are relieved that PPMM is there to help keep them safe: “One patient was very openly expressing his gratitude to us. And he actually came back later to give us a hand-written thank-you note, saying that he’d lost his job and didn’t know where to go to get tested.”
Many times during each day of testing at the site, Lauren said she helped patients who were newly unemployed or uninsured to sign up for Family PACT, California’s program to provide birth control and family planning services for low-income and uninsured people.
“We hear from patients at the site who are surprised to know that Planned Parenthood provides services like COVID testing and helping people sign up for public programs,” Lauren said. “Every day I’m there, I’m reminded that it’s awesome that we’re such a financial help to our patients. They’re not just getting great care they need, but care they can afford.”