LYNN — A line of cars wrapped around Manning Field and stretched down toward the intersection of Washington Street and Essex Street, as Lynn residents waited in line to receive a take-home, COVID-19-test kit on Thursday afternoon.
The drop-off site at Manning Field was scheduled to open on Thursday at 4 p.m., but cars began to line up on Boston Street as early as 2 p.m., causing traffic. Lynn Fire Department Capt. Richard Downey was told to start the distribution early.
“Cars started lining up at around two in the afternoon,” Downey said. “I’ve lost count of how many (cars) there are right now. We got the call from one of the officers around 3:30 to let them in so we could lessen the traffic, and that’s why it started so early.”
Downey was one of 15 members from the Fire Department who distributed iHealth Labs’ at-home, COVID-19-testing kits. The rapid tests take 15 minutes to complete, and can be used by anyone 2 years old and up, regardless of vaccination status or if they have symptoms.
The City of Lynn received around 31,000 tests in total from the state — which in total, secured 2.1 million tests to distribute to Massachusetts communities. Due to the limited supply, residents can only receive one kit. Members of the Police Department directed traffic, while Downey handed out kits to those in cars and walking on foot.
Downey said the structure of the drive-through distribution system was identical to a food-drive plan created by the Police Department, where vehicles entered through Ford Street and exited off of Stenson Street. He said the distribution process was quick and there were no complaints from recipients.
“We are trying to stay away from the Clay School,” Downey said when detailing the route. “We have something called emergency-dispensing sites, and this would be considered one.”
According to Downey, the tests will be distributed until all 31,000 tests are given.
“This is what the state gave to Lynn for free and this is all we have,” said Downey. “At some point, we’re supposed to be able to buy them but for now, that’s it.”
Magaly Cruz, a Lynn resident and mother of three, said she was thankful to receive a testing kit before they were all gone. She expressed her worry about the rise in COVID cases, and was disappointed that the city was only handing out free tests for a limited period.
“It is what it is,” Cruz said. “It stinks but that’s the way it is.”
Cruz said that she and her three children, a 13-year-old, an 8-year-old and a 5-year-old, are all vaccinated. She said the city should focus more on its vaccination-site efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus.
“We should have more vaccine sites in the schools,” Cruz suggested. “We should get our children vaccinated as fast as we can.”