Harckham Distributes 1,000 Free Covid-19 Test Kits

New York State Senator Pete Harckham and members of his staff dropped off 1,000 boxes of Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test kits this week to several area organizations, which will in turn distribute them to families with children in underserved communities.

The distribution of the free Covid-19 test kits by Harckham and his team came in response to requests from local elected officials and nonprofit leaders concerned about keeping children in school and after-school programs during the surge of Omicron variant cases of Covid-19.

“While many New Yorkers have been able to secure home Covid tests for use, too many of our residents have been excluded from getting theirs because of costs and availability,” said Harckham. “Fortunately, we were able to successfully procure a thousand test kits for distribution, which will help safeguard our residents, especially younger individuals who are not fully vaccinated yet.”

Added Harckham, “Also, this makes it easier for residents to take a test without having to go to a doctor’s office or Urgent Care. For a lot of working families with young children, having to sit a few hours while waiting for a test is just not possible either. I thank State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for her tremendous help in securing the supply of Covid-19 test kits for distribution in the 40th Senate District.”

Harckham and his team distributed the rapid Covid test kits to the Peekskill Youth Bureau, Peekskill Hispanic Community Corp., Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester, Putnam Youth Bureau and the Interfaith Emergency Food Pantry in Thornwood.

Each box of the Covid test kit that was distributed includes two separate tests.

“Receiving these Covid-19 tests could not have come at a better time, as there has been a national shortage of tests,” said Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie. “By making these test kits available to our residents, we will ensure that our children and staff can stay safe and continue to participate in daily activities. We truly appreciate the delivery of the test kits and support from Senator Harckham to the City of Peekskill and our youth.”

“These test kits are an important resource in keeping our community members safe from Covid-19,” said Tuesday Paige McDonald, executive director of the Peekskill Youth Bureau. “If people are not feeling well, they can use one of the tests instead of having to play a guessing game with their health, which can impact the health of others.”