Columbia car camp provides a sanitary space during coronavirus crisis

A car camp in Columbia is given a space where homeless can go to clean up and stay stagnant during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

The CoMo Car Camp is Columbia Ward 2 City Councilman Mike Trapp and his brother John Trapp’s third attempt to form a safe space for people without any place to stay during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fiona Draco, the CoMo Car Camp project manager stated that she hopes this space is long term.

“Our biggest goal is to offer a happy safe place where people can be not be under threat or thrown around and and basically reduce panic,” Draco stated. “Most importantly, be able to keep people who are less fortunate from catching COVID or feeling panicked about it and doing something that they otherwise wouldn’t.”

The car camp offers people with toilets, hand washing and sanitizing stations, facemasks, clothes and an occasional hot meal.

Draco stated capacity is 100 people and they are on their way to get a physician and a psychologist to volunteer time.

“We have an opportunity here to you know get maxed out and I wouldn’t say regulate but really provide services and support to these people,” Draco stated.

Terry Roberts, a Columbia resident, stopped by to donate clothes and other objects to the car camp. He said people should value community during the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s the community’s responsibility to step up and help out however they can especially in times of need,” Roberts stated. “I think all times it’s important to have community, but particularly in times of adversity, because when we get through to the other side the community is that much stronger.”

Draco stated people in the community searched after her so she is doing what she can to give it back.

“You know, I don’t have any family and I really depend on the community, to not only understand me but invest in me,” Draco stated. “Someone invested in me to get my certification and here I am providing it back to the community.”

About 787,901 people in the US have been confirmed as being infected with the coronavirus. The virus has killed 42,364 people in the country.