Uplifting Humanity with Equal Access

Dear Supporters,
New York, NY: The United States has been the hardest hit nation from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Since February when the first infection was recorded almost 14 million cases have been confirmed. The highest daily death toll and hospitalizations from Covid-19 were recorded this week.

As the national death toll fast approaches 300,000, it is feared the US healthcare system is approaching a breaking point in parts of the nation. With the arrival of winter, flu season and the second, third virus surges, UNITED SIKHS has set up free COVID-19 testing centers in partnership with the New York Health + Hospitals (NYCHH) to expand access to COVID-19 testing and aid contact tracing efforts across all communities in New York City.

Recognizing the challenges and special needs of the immigrant communities, this initiative with the help of NYCHH technicians provides free COVID-19 self-swab tests to the community members. Being cognizant of the existing language barriers and cultural challenges faced by immigrant communities, UNITED SIKHS’ volunteers are providing assistance with translation of instructions and guidelines in addition to creation of email accounts for reporting of test results and city wide resources available to anyone with Covid-19.

UNITED SIKHS successfully conducted its first batch of free COVID-19 testing program in the following four locations in the city:

• La Jornada Food Pantry
• Makhan Shah Lobana Gurughar
• Shri Guru Ravidass Gurughar
• Sikh Center of NY Gurughar

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, UNITED SIKHS has catered to the individual needs of households, especially in poor and working class neighborhoods. Through this initiative, we aim to pay special attention to those who test positive for Covid-19 and provide groceries or cooked meals depending on their needs. Furthermore, via our ‘Assister Navigator program’, we help community members secure access to health insurance plans via NYC Marketplace. We also help immigrant populations to enroll in the NYC Care health program regardless of their immigration status.

As part of the growing need we are setting up more COVID-19 testing centers across New York City in the first half of December including:

• December 04, 2020: 10:30 am – 4:00 pm ICNA Al-Markaz 166-26 89th Ave, Jamaica, NY 11432
• December 05, 2020 10:30 am – 4:00 pm Bronx food pantry, 2141 Holland Ave Bronx, NY
• December 06, 2020 10:30 am – 4:00 pm Gurdwara Sikh Cultural Society 9530 118th St, South Richmond Hill, NY 11419

Although testing has been expanded considerably since the beginning of the pandemic there is continued disparity in testing rates across different zip codes in New York City. UNITED SIKHS is working in partnership with city agencies and public health professionals to achieve the aim of equitable access to testing, resources and benefits for every New Yorker.

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Guneet Kaur,
Associate Director
Recognize the Human Race As One