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Photos: Medical students volunteer to help the homeless population

Rebecca Sasnett
Apr 21, 2020
Apr 21, 2020 Updated Nov 2, 2020

Medical students from the University of Arizona and other universities volunteer to help the homeless population with the growing concerns of COVID-19 outside the Z Mansion, a popular downtown wedding venue that doubles as a soup kitchen for the homeless on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

“Medical students feel it is their duty to assist in times like these,” said medical student Christopher Vance, who has volunteered at Z Mansion for the past six years. “We saw an opportunity to put our training to use and help our community.”

Before the students and medical staff begin their shift, they wear protective gear such as masks, gloves, face shields and coats. Students then give out food, drinks with electrolytes and masks to the homeless while screening people for potential symptoms and medical conditions.

“This is a vulnerable population in our community; they can’t defend themselves in a society already running short on supplies and resources,” said Christian Bergman, 4th year University of Arizona medical student.

Those who are sick, medically impaired or have been exposed to those with COVID-19 are isolated outdoors in tents on the property. There are 30 tents available with the potential to to make more, if needed, said Vance.

Medical students volunteer to help homeless

UA worried about increases in COVID-19 cases nationally, preparing for virus testing blitz

University of Arizona officials are concerned after seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases nationally and locally just before the holidays.

UA administrators are urging students to participate in a testing blitz between Nov. 9-15 to prevent the spread of the virus if they plan to travel home or meet with family and friends for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Students will be required to complete a survey outlining their travel plans before Thanksgiving to determine how many students will complete the semester online away from campus, how many plan to return to campus after traveling and how many students don’t plan to travel for Thanksgiving.

After Thanksgiving, all classes will be fully online through the end of the semester, the UA said.

Seven gatherings of more than 100 people were reported to the campus area response team last week, six more than the previous week, the university said.

The university reported a 1.1% positivity rate from Oct. 23 to Nov. 1, with 79 positive cases out of 7,122 tests.

On Nov. 1, the university reported five positive cases out of 132 tests, a 3.8% positivity rate.

UA President Robert C. Robbins said the university plans to start the spring semester where it left off in November, unless COVID-19 cases in the area rise. Robbins is also working on a plan to make testing mandatory for everyone returning to campus in the spring, not just students who live on campus.

Dr. Richard Carmona, campus reentry task force director, said the university may also move to online-only classes in the spring if the increase in cases continues nationally and locally.