COVID-19 Test Kit Distribution Event in Danbury Was Mobbed on Sunday

Danbury Mayor Dean Esposito and city officials held a COVID-19 test-kit distribution event Sunday (1/2/23) on the westside campus of Western Connecticut State University.

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The event was scheduled to kickoff at 3 PM at 43 Lake Avenue Extension but was inundated with cars prior to its scheduled start time.

I know it was mobbed, because I was on my way to see about getting tests for my family. I decided to take I-84 instead of going the backway and abandoned my mission soon after getting on the highway.

I took these pics right around 2:50 pm.

Cars were headed to Exit 4 in a line and the backup snaked back halfway to Exit 5.

People were going to get their free test, for good reason, one of these DIY home COVID tests goes for about $24 dollars.

I chose convenience over savings and it didn't work out for me. Not only did I need to purchase the tests, but by the time I was looking for them Monday (1/3/21), most pharmacies in the city were sold out. I did manage to track some down at 345 Main Street in the drive-thru pharmacy.

I spoke with the Mayor about the massive turnout for the event on Monday Esposito had this to say:

"Yesterday I was proud of our team led by Emergency Management Director Matthew Cassavecchia and Health Director Kara Prunty who successfully distributed thousands of at home Covid-19 test kits to residents. Though this amount was less than the original allotment promised, we are grateful for the support of our partners from state government."

Danbury Mayor Dean Esposito spoke to Al Robinson of Hat City Blog the day of the event, saying:

"Today is going very well, we're overwhelmed with traffic. They started early, they started lining up early but give credit to our city services, they were prepared to go."

I can't understand why all of the sudden you can't get a rapid or PCR test at a pharmacy without waiting days for an appointment. During the COVID surge in the summer, I had to get tested often and it was not a problem. I would schedule a drive-thru appointment at one of the local pharmacies for the next day, in some cases the same day and was able to get it taken care of.

Now these at home rapid tests are widely available, you can't get a regular test. Why do I bother asking these questions? No one has any answers that I find sufficient.