When the Coronavirus began ravaging our communities of Detroit 48217, River Rouge and Ecorse there was no conveniently located testing site for our citizens. A newly formed group of community members banned together under the name of Tri-Cities United to ensure that our residents receive testing.

Starting in the beginning of June, Tri-Cities member and Telegram Publisher Gina Wilson secured a partnership with Western Wayne Family Health Centers to conduct COVID-19 testing in the Tri-Cities communities. The response was excellent and needed.

Our residents no longer needed to drive to the old Michigan State Fairgrounds or other far away locations. They could drive, walk or ride a bike to our testing sites to be tested. They were exceedingly grateful for the service. Several Tri-Cities members joined Wilson at the test sites to assist wherever needed, including Environmentalist Emma Lockridge, Ecorse City Councilman Donald Agee, Jr., State Rep. Tyrone Carter and Us Helping Us Director Marvin Johnson.

Over the course of testing approximately one thousand people the detection of COVID-19 was found present in ten people. Those ten people had the possibility of not only becoming severely ill themselves, but passing the virus to others.

We also would like to commend our entire Tri-Cities teams, which is nearly 20 members.

If you would like to join the Tri-Cities United as we improve our area, please email [email protected] We have a bi-weekly meeting via, computer.

In the meantime, the State of Michigan has stepped in to provide COVID-19 testing in Ecorse and Detroit 48217.

The point is we will no longer wait for people to help us. If it is missing, we will make it happen and welcome anyone who wants to help.