Brown demands answers after testing site cancellation

Rep. Paula Brown (MHDC)

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — State Rep. Paula Brown, D-Hazelwood, has questions for the Department of Health and Human Services after it cancelled a COVID-19 testing site in North St. Louis County Saturday without notifying the community.

The DHSS scheduled the event at the Machinists Hall in Bridgeton to take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but it was cancelled by the health department. Brown inquired with DHSS as to why the event was cancelled and was told it was because of “inclement weather” — despite the fact there was no snow in North St. Louis County.

“As our state sees record numbers of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the people of Missouri need confidence that the state is providing resources so folks know whether or not they have it and they can act responsibly,” Brown said. “On Saturday, the Parson administration failed to communicate with Missourians and made it that much more difficult for them to navigate this crisis.”

Brown says this event raises further questions regarding COVID-19 test availability. She plans on using the power of her office to investigate DHSS to find answers for her constituents.