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Tryon Medical Informs Media on Impact of Protests on COVID-19 and Testing

Media has been reporting on whether or not recent protests in the wake of George Floyd’s murder have had an impact on increasing COVID-19 cases in Mecklenburg County and across the country.

In a June 10 story from WBTV’s Caroline Hicks, Tryon Medical’s Dr. Ryan Shelton weighed in on how to decrease one’s risk of contracting COVID-19 at a protest.

“I would suggest staying on the edge or the outskirt not where people are super close together,” Dr. Shelton said.

He also says wear a mask.

“Any facial covering it could be a bandana could just be simple I think that’s a fair ask,” he said.

WCNC reported on testing delays for asymptomatic people in a June 11 story from Hunter Saenz. Like many, Saenz tried to obtain a test after attending a protest, though he has no symptoms. Tryon Medical spokesperson, Tom Williams, talked about how our practice handles testing.

They have been testing asymptomatic patients for the past week, but you must be registered with the group before getting tested, according to spokesman Tom Williams. 

“That could include protesters or not. If you go to a big party or something or go to the beach and you don’t have symptoms and you want to get tested,” Williams said.