We have neighbors who are sick and need a proper diagnosis. We have neighbors who have been off work for the holidays and need testing before they can return. We have neighbors who have been in close contact with Covid but don’t have symptoms — they could be contagious. Our stores are out of home testing kits and if they can be found cost approximately $25 for a two-test box. Urgent care tests are reportedly costing $85 to $125. Our neighbors are being told to get online and order free tests through LabCorps but those won’t arrive in the mail for days.

The costs are out of reach for many of our neighbors. For a lot of folks, driving to neighboring counties and waiting for tests to arrive aren’t acceptable options. Meanwhile, our Covid numbers are very likely underreported because of lack of testing or home testing without reporting.

We need free Covid testing sites in Haywood County. We have needed them all along but especially now. What is Haywood County Health and Human Services doing about this? How is the Haywood County Commission directing funding? Testing is one of the key pieces to getting this pandemic under control. Who can make this happen now?

Ann Holtz

Waynesville