Author: Ken Smith

Assistance in the Wake of the Winter Storm

Disaster assistance may be available to Brazos County residents adversely affected by last week’s winter storm. Residents who suffered snow and ice damage can apply for federal funds at DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-3362.

Anyone with insurance is asked to first contact their insurance company and then FEMA, as insurance claim information is needed in determining eligibility for federal assistance. Those without insurance can go directly to DisasterAssistance.gov to begin the process of filing an application. (FEMA is unable to reimburse lost food due to power outages, but volunteer organizations may be able to help if food assistance is needed. Call 211 for more.) FEMA has also partnered with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to offer low-interest disaster loans. More information is available at www.fema.gov/disaster/4586.

After submitting an application, FEMA will notify each person either via tradition mail service or email.

To get a better picture of the damage in each county, the State of Texas is asking residents to take part in a survey, either by going to https://arcg.is/uOrOb or using the QR Code:

qr code assistance winter storm

Mobile Test Collection Sites

The Brazos County Emergency Operations Center and the Texas Department of Emergency Management are partnering to bring additional testing to Brazos County. Efforts will continue to bring additional testing to our community.

FREE COVID-19 testing will be available at the following locations.

Brazos County:

TERESA’S CATHOLIC CHURCH (307 Hall Street, Bryan-KIOSK IN PARISH HALL PARKING LOT): Appointments only.

Open Monday-Friday (8 am-5 pm)

https://curative.com/search#11.63/30.6305/-96.3309

BRIAN BACHMANN COMMUNITY PARK (1600 Rock Prairie Road, College Station). Drive-thru only. 

February 23-25 (11 am-7 pm)

CURATIVE VAN LOCATION: NEW ZION MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH (1505 Dansby St., Bryan)  Walk-up only. 

February 12 & 13 (8 am-5 pm)

 

What you need to know to get tested:

  • Testing is available for anyone above age 5 (or any child that can cough on command).
  • You do not have to be symptomatic to get tested.
  • All test sites offer drive-thru testing.
  • You do not have to be a resident of Brazos County to get tested.
  • Please bring a picture ID, driver’s license, or other form of identification.
  • The test is an oral swab.  Please do not eat, drink, or smoke 20 minutes prior to being tested.
  • The results take about 2-3 days to get back.
  • Results are securely sent via text message or email.
  • If there is inclement weather, the testing site will close

For more information about COVID-19 testing sites in Texas, visit texas.gov/covid19.

Mobile Test Collection Sites

The Brazos County Emergency Operations Center and the Texas Department of Emergency Management are partnering to bring additional testing to Brazos County.   Efforts will continue to bring additional testing to our community.

FREE COVID-19 testing will be available at the following locations. 

Brazos County:

ST. TERESA’S CATHOLIC CHURCH (307 Hall Street, Bryan-KIOSK IN PARISH HALL PARKING LOT): Appointments only.

  • Open Monday-Friday (8 am-5 pm)

https://curative.com/search#11.63/30.6305/-96.3309

 

BRIAN BACHMANN COMMUNITY PARK (1600 Rock Prairie Road, College Station). Drive-thru only. 

  • February 2, 3, & 4 (11 am-7 pm)
  • February 9, 10, & 11 (11 am-7 pm)

 

Curative Van Locations

Lincoln Center (1000 Eleanor Street, College Station).  Walk-up only. 

  • February 1 & 2 (8 am-5 pm) 

 

Twin City Mission (410 Randolph Avenue, Bryan). Walk-up only. 

  • February 4 (8 am-5 pm)

 

What you need to know to get tested:

  • Testing is available for anyone above age 5 (or any child that can cough on command).
  • You do not have to be symptomatic to get tested.
  • All test sites offer drive-thru testing.
  • You do not have to be a resident of Brazos County to get tested.
  • Please bring a picture ID, driver’s license, or other form of identification.
  • The test is an oral swab.  Please do not eat, drink, or smoke 20 minutes prior to being tested.
  • The results take about 2-3 days to get back.
  • Results are securely sent via text message or email.
  • If there is inclement weather, the testing site will close

For more information about COVID-19 testing sites in Texas, visit texas.gov/covid19.

Brazos County Vaccine Hub to receive 5,000 doses in first week

In its first full week of operation, the Brazos County COVID-19 vaccination hub at the Brazos Center is set to distribute 5,000 doses of vaccine to local residents.

Vial of Moderna vaccineIn its first full week of operation, the Brazos County COVID-19 vaccination hub at the Brazos Center is set to distribute 5,000 doses of vaccine to local residents.

Starting Monday, February 1, residents who registered via the vaccine portal and received a scheduled appointment will begin getting their vaccines. By State of Texas designation, these are only people who fall within the 1A or 1B category.

The vaccination hub is by appointment only. Walk-ins will be turned away. Those who qualify under the 1A or 1B designation can go to BrazosHealth.org to get put on the waiting list. Once on the list, they will then be contacted via email to set an appointment.

Brazos County Vaccine Task Force Chief Jim Stewart is reminding everyone to please be patient and understand there will be a wait. With approximately 65,000 people qualifying in the 1B category, and about 5,000 doses of vaccine per week, this will be a slow process. But, the process is underway and progress is being made.

Mobile Test Collection Sites

The Brazos County Emergency Operations Center and the Texas Department of Emergency Management are partnering to bring additional testing to Brazos County.   Efforts will continue to bring additional testing to our community.

FREE COVID-19 testing will be available at the following locations.

Brazos County:

ST. TERESA’S CATHOLIC CHURCH (307 Hall Street, Bryan-KIOSK IN PARISH HALL PARKING LOT): Appointments only.

https://curative.com/search#11.63/30.6305/-96.3309

Open Monday-Friday (8 am-5 pm)

BRIAN BACHMANN COMMUNITY PARK (1600 Rock Prairie Road, College Station) Drive-Thru only.  Appointments not available. 

February 2, 3, & 4 (11 am-7 pm)

February 9, 10, & 11 (11 am-7 pm)

 

What you need to know to get tested:

  • ·Testing is available for anyone above age 5 (or any child that can cough on command).
  • You do not have to be symptomatic to get tested.
  • All test sites offer drive-thru testing.
  • You do not have to be a resident of Brazos County to get tested.
  • Please bring a picture ID, driver’s license, or other form of identification.
  • The test is an oral swab.  Please do not eat, drink, or smoke 20 minutes prior to being tested.
  • The results take about 2-3 days to get back.
  • Results are securely sent via text message or email.
  • If there is inclement weather, the testing site will close

For more information about COVID-19 testing sites in Texas, visit texas.gov/covid19.  More information can be found at the Brazos County Emergency Operations Center website:  https://brazosceoc.org

 

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Volunteers Needed to Help with Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

The Brazos County Vaccine Taskforce is gearing up to manage a community COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Brazos Center.  To do this successfully, volunteers are needed to help coordinate the effort.  The American Red Cross is taking the lead in recruiting and managing volunteers for the hub.

An estimated 30 volunteers will be needed each day, starting January 25, between the hours of 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.  Volunteers will help with traffic flow, registration, vaccinations, monitoring, among other needs.

High-priority needs include:

            1. Spanish speakers

            2. Data-entry/Registration (computer competent)

            3. Vaccine administers (medical license or experience required)

Volunteers may sign up at:  https://timecounts.org/bv-vaccinehub/forms/51501

Registered volunteers will receive information about available positions and how to schedule shifts via the Timecounts.org system.

Once up and running, the vaccination clinic will be by appointment only.  Information on how to register for an appointment will be forthcoming.  For now, all COVID-19 vaccine information can be found at the Brazos County Health District website, www.BrazosHealth.org.

Mobile Test Collection Sites

The Brazos County Emergency Operations Center and the Texas Department of Emergency Management are partnering to bring additional testing to Brazos County. Efforts will continue to bring additional testing to our community.

FREE COVID-19 testing will be available at the following locations.

Brazos County

BRIAN BACHMANN COMMUNITY PARK (1600 Rock Prairie Road, College Station)

  • Jan. 12 (11 am-7 pm)
  • Jan. 13 (11 am-7 pm)
  • Jan. 14 (11 am-7 pm)
  • Jan. 19 (11 am-7 pm)
  • Jan. 20 (11 am-7 pm)
  • Jan. 21 (11 am-7 pm)

ST. TERESA’S Catholic Church
(307 Hall Street, Bryan – kiosk in parish hall parking lot)

APPOINTMENTS ONLY.

  • Jan. 4 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Jan. 5 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Jan. 6 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Jan. 7 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Jan. 8 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY KIOSKS
(Rudder Plaza & Mays Business School – TAMU students, faculty and staff ONLY)

APPOINTMENTS ONLY.

  • Jan. 4 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Jan. 5 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Jan. 6 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Jan. 7 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Jan. 8 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Jan. 11 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Jan. 12 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Jan. 13 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Jan. 14 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Jan. 15 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Grimes County

NAVASOTA CENTER
(101 Stadium Dr., Navasota, YX 77868)

  • Jan. 5 (8 am-4 pm )
  • Jan. 6 (8 am-4 pm )
  • Jan. 7 (8 am-4 pm )

TODD MISSION CITY HALL
(21718 FM 1774, Plantersville, TX 77363)

  • Jan. 12 (8 am-4 pm )
  • Jan. 13 (8 am-4 pm )
  • Jan. 14 (8 am-4 pm )

To register in advance, visit the following link.  This site will only allow a person to register 24 hours prior to a site’s official opening time.

 https://texas.curativeinc.com/

What you need to know to get tested:

  • Testing is available for anyone above age 5 (or any child that can cough on command).
  • You do not have to be symptomatic to get tested.
  • No appointment needed.
  • All test sites offer drive-thru testing.
  • You do not have to be a resident of Brazos County to get tested.
  • Please bring a picture ID, driver’s license, or other form of identification.
  • The test is an oral swab. Please do not eat, drink, or smoke 20 minutes prior to being tested.
  • The results take about 2-3 days to get back.
  • Results are securely sent via text message or email.
  • If there is inclement weather, the testing site will close

For more information about COVID-19 testing sites in Texas, visit texas.gov/covid19.

COVID-19 Mobile Test Collection Sites Scheduled for Brazos County in coming weeks

As part of the ongoing efforts across the state of Texas to provide COVID-19 testing, DAVACO and the Texas Division of Emergency Management are partnering to provide mobile COVID-19 testing sites in Brazos County.

FREE COVID-19 testing will be available at the Brazos Center (3232 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan) on the following days:

  • Oct. 27 (11 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
  • Oct. 28 (11 a.m. – 7 p.m)
  • Oct. 29 (11 a.m. – 7 p.m)
  • Nov. 9 (11 a.m. – 7 p.m)
  • Nov. 10 (8 a.m. -4 p.m.)
  • Nov. 11 (11 a.m. – 7 p.m)

Advance registration

The registration site will only allow a person to register 24 hours prior to a site’s official opening time.

What you need to know to get tested

  • Testing is available for anyone above age 5.
  • You do not have to be symptomatic to get tested.
  • No appointment needed.
  • All test sites offer drive-thru testing.
  • You do not have to be a resident of Brazos County to get tested.
  • Please bring a picture ID, driver’s license, or other form of identification.
  • The test is an oral swab. Please do not eat, drink, or smoke 20 minutes prior to being tested.
  • The results take about 2-3 days to get back.
  • Results are securely sent via text message or email.
  • If there is inclement weather, the testing site will close

For more information about COVID-19 testing sites in Texas, visit texas.gov/covid19.