CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — When the coronavirus led to the cancelation of summer events like Lollapalooza and Riot Fest, it also left hundreds of gig workers out of work.
Event Medical Solutions typically provides medical services at large-scale events, and CEO Matt Schipper tells WBBM he created COVID Concierge to meet the needs of communities like River Forest.
Physicians and paramedics who would have typically worked at tents in summer events are now administering rapid COVID-19 tests at First Presbyterian Church.
"When we went to the staff and said, 'Let's do this, let's go to an empty parking lot and set up an event and get the job done,' the team definitely rose to the occasion," Schipper said Wednesday.
He partnered with 606 Events, which provides event services, coordination and logistics, to make sure the testing site runs efficiently and safely.
"It's made us adapt and pivot and get into different roles and use our skill sets to operate in a different manner," said 606 Events President Michael Neri.
Neri tells WBBM Newsradio he had to lay off about 95% of his staff after the event industry was slammed with coronavirus cancellations, but the rapid testing sites are a step forward for his employees.
"The ones that we can put to work that are able to work that haven't gone and gotten another type of job, that's what we're trying to do is get people back to work."
Appointments for coronavirus testing are available at covidconcierge.us.
