Covid-19

Teen Finds ‘Better Way’ to Test for COVID

October 28:

  • After experiencing the frustrations of long lines for COVID-19 testing throughout Houston, Texas, Taft Foley III, an 18-year-old high school senior and an EMT, decided to launch his own mobile COVID testing lab in a van.
  • Foley succeeded in raising $60,000; his father matched the funds. He is now the co-founder of Texas Mobile Medical Labs.
  • A portion of revenue from every test will go towards a free test to veterans, people who are unable to pay for their own tests, and to senior citizens in the community.
  • Appointments are scheduled by date, time, and location.
  • At 17 years of age, Taft became the youngest EMT in the state of Texas. He is also the first African American Eagle Scout in the 70-year history of his troop.

This transcript has been edited for clarity.

John Whyte, MD, MPH: You’re watching Coronavirus in Context. I’m Dr John Whyte, chief medical officer at WebMD. Have you tried to get a COVID test? Did you have to drive somewhere, take public transportation, and wait a while?

What about a mobile van and mobile testing to help get closer to you and make it quicker? That would be a good idea, wouldn’t it? Well, my next guest has done just that. Did I mention he’s 18 years old? I’m pleased to welcome Taft Foley III, a high school senior, an EMT, and founder of Texas Mobile Medical Labs. Taft, thanks for joining me.

Taft Foley III: Thanks for having me. I’m happy to be here.

Whyte: You’re 18 years old, and you came up with this idea of an innovative mobile COVID-19 testing lab. Take us back and tell us how you thought of this and made it happen.

Foley: Toward the middle of the summer, I attended an EMT course. When I got back to Houston, Texas, I decided to take a COVID test because I have a little sister and I didn’t want to give her the virus. I went to a local clinic nearby my house. But when I got there, I was met with a line that snaked around the entire building, and I had to wait 2 hours just to get inside. I took the test, but I still self-quarantined ─ even though it came back negative ─ just to stay safe. In that 2-week period, I decided to do some research of my own because I thought to myself, there must be a better way. That’s when I found Quidel’s 15-minute COVID tests, and I really got the idea to “go to my patients.”

Whyte: You have this idea and say, “Hey, I can do better.” I love that philosophy. But then, how did you make it happen? How you get the van? Did you have to include your parents? How did it all come to fruition?

Foley: I definitely got a lot of help from the community, especially my father. I asked him if he’d be willing to help, and he told me he’d match the money I raise to keep the business going. I was able to raise about $60,000. I don’t think he was expecting me to raise that much money.

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