Beyonce and Ms. Tina Sponsor Free COVID-19 Testing In Houston, Tyler Perry Doing Same In Atlanta

Tina Knowles Lawson is terrified at what is happening in Black Communities around the nation and is doing something about it.

Knowles Lawson, in conjunction with Beyonce’s BeyGood Foundation has created the initiative #IDIDMYPART to encourage residents in her beloved home city of Houston, Texas to get tested in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and is challenging other celebs to do the same in their cities. Tyler Perry, accepted Knowles Lawson’s challenge to do the same and will set up his own #IDIDMYPART campaign in Atlanta, Georgia.  He will then challenge another celebrity to continue the movement in their city.

This announcement comes on the heels of a USA Today study, released today, that reveals that infection rates of COVID-19 are 5 times higher in zip codes that are majority minority. “The virus is wreaking havoc on the Black community so we need a movement to prioritize our health,” Ms. Tina says, citing a recent report from the CDC that as of April 23, 33.7% of COVID patients were African American, even though African Americans comprise 13% of US population.  And as per the CDC, as of mid-April, roughly 33% of all fatalities are African American.

“We are all in this together. But we have to look at what is happening in our Black and Brown communities and how they are being decimated by COVID-19,” Knowles Lawson continues.  “It is critical that we stay vigilant with social distancing, wearing a mask, and most of all getting tested. If you don’t get tested then you don’t know if you are a carrier of the virus. Being asymptomatic is how you infect your entire household and those around you, the very people you love. We have got to go to these free testing facilities and find out our status.”

The #IDIDMYPART Mobile Testing Relief Campaign, this Mother’s Day weekend, aims to bring awareness to the daily testing administered by United Memorial Medical Center, initiated by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee. This weekend’s effort will provide 1,000 test kits, face masks, gloves, essential vitamins and household supplies to citizens of Houston.  The test is free and administered under safe conditions as participants will never have to exit their vehicles.

“Testing is crucial because it helps find hot spots and saves lives,” offers Congresswoman Jackson-Lee.  “Texas has a very low COVID-19 test rate, second lowest in the nation. This is why the commitment by Ms. Tina Knowles Lawson and BeyGOOD is so significant in helping Houstonians get out and get tested.”

Participants receiving a test will also receive a grocery gift card from BeyGOOD, purchased from H-E-B Grocery Company, the supermarket chain with more than 350 stores throughout the state of Texas. H-E-B will match BeyGOOD’s contribution.

A voucher for a hot meal, also compliments of BeyGOOD, will be provided to participants and the medical staff administering the test, to two local favorite restaurants, Frenchy’s Chicken and Burns Original Bar-B-Q. Participants will also receive written materials with all the up-to-date information on how to stay safe.  In observance of social distancing measures, supplies will be placed in vehicle trunks as participants exit the testing sites.

Beyonce and Meghan Thee Stallion are also rallying for their home city by donating all the proceeds from the remix of “Savage”, which dropped last week and has inspired Tik Tok challenges around the globe. Plus, the Mayor of Houston has already acknowledge the he will honor the women for their efforts to support H-Town. This is all on top of the 6 million dollars Beyonce has already donated to help fight COVID-19.