Beacon's Allotment Of COVID-19 Home Test Available At Howland Public Library (Updated)

UPDATED 1/6/2022: All test kits have been distributed as of 3:20pm Thursday. As of now, there is no shipping schedule for next shipments, as Dutchess County awaits shipments from New York State.)

The City of Beacon’s allotment of COVID-19 tests from New York State, which are distributed through Dutchess County, who allocates a portion of them to each municipality based on population, are available now at the Howland Public Library at 313 Main Street during the library’s Open hours. Per the library, there is no curb-side pickup available.

Quantity is limited and is available on a first come, first serve basis. The first shipment of COVID-19 test kits that Beacon received by way of Dutchess County was available at the Beacon Police Department. Beacon received 250 test kits and which was depleted in 3 hours.

Newly elected Councilperson Justice McCray, who has worked at both Beacon’s public library as well as Cold Spring’s public library, advocated for the Howland Public Library to be the most accessible and least intimidating location for the distribution. Stating in a Comment on ALBB’s first article about the first shipment, prior to being sworn in as a Council Member, Justice expressed: “The City needs to make kits available elsewhere. Many Black, Brown, and otherwise margnizalied poeple do not feel safe or comfortable around police. Only having kits at the police station is not equitable or accessible to many people in Beacon and while I recognize it’s the easy option, the City should also consider fostering/strengthening community partnerships with local busineses to help offer kits or work with organizations that are serving our most vulnerable neighbors like Mutual Aid Beacon to offer at-home no-contact kit deliveries.”

The Howland Public Library first announced the availability of the test kits at around 12pm Thursday (1/6/2022): “The City of Beacon has supplied us with at-home COVID-19 tests and KN95 masks to be distributed to city residents. The tests are available at the Front Desk, Today, Thursday, January 6th, Noon-7pm. While supplies last. One (1) test kit per household and each kit contains two (2) tests. Available to City of Beacon City residents only. Proof of residence required. Masks are also available at the Front Desk with a limit of two (2) per person present. No proof of residency required for the masks. No "curbside" delivery of these items is available.”

The City of Beacon posted an alert in their top Announcement bar of their website.

Councilperson McCray stressed on their social media “to keep those in mind who may not otherwise have access.” If you already got one from the first round, consider bowing out of this round. If you have symptoms or were exposed, by all means, go get one no matter what. Be sure to swab plenty of snot to get good results!

Also note, based on the Howland Public Library’s innitial photo announcing availability, they may be making a subtle hint to kick back and relax with an enjoyable historical romance book. Catherine Coulter (the book jackets pictured here) is one such example you’ll be able to borrow from the library. Philippa Gregory is another author from that genre you may enjoy. If you’re not getting out much, the Beacon Library offers several digital services you’ll want to check out.