COVID-19 donation drive launched to help equip, protect Charlotte health care workers
To help local health care workers on the front line of dealing with the novel coronavirus, a new group has formed to lead a donation drive for badly needed personal protection equipment like masks and face shields.
CLTgivePPE, a grassroots group started by Dr. Sheila Natarajan, and local physicians and community advocates., is organizing the drive.
“Asking a health care provider to treat patients during this COVID pandemic without adequate PPE is the equivalent of sending a soldier into battle without armor,” Natarajan with Integra Rehabilitation Physicians in Indian Land, S.C., said in a news release. “If you lose your soldiers to the disease you lose the war.”
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has acknowledged that state officials are struggling to obtain personal protective equipment and other supplies.
‘They are all nervous.’ Coronavirus threatens Mecklenburg healthcare workers, report says.
Just as Mecklenburg County health care professionals fear they’ll run out protective gear they need, the Observer reported, a county pandemic response report shows up to 35% of health care providers could fall ill during the coronavirus crisis.
In partnership with Atrium Health, Novant Health and Mecklenburg County Health Department, CLTgivePPE is holding the donation drive starting Thursday through April 23.
Goodwill Industries of Southern Piedmont is opening two Charlotte stores to accept new PPE donations from noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays at the main campus, 5301 Wilkinson Blvd., and Ballantyne, 16025 Lancaster Highway.
Lowe’s Home Improvement is helping by supplying bins, and has donated $10 million in products such as respirators and protective gear to be donated to medical professionals and hospitals nationwide.
Lowe’s raises pledge for coronavirus relief funding to over $100 million
Items needed are:
▪ N95 masks
▪ Surgical masks
▪ Surgical masks with shield
▪ Disinfectant
▪ Eye protection, including safety
▪ Goggles/glasses
▪ Face shield
▪ Gloves and gowns, disposable
▪ Hand sanitizer, greater than 60% alcohol
▪ Shoe covers, disposable
▪ Handmade masks
▪ Fabric donations, to make face masks and medical gowns
Monetary donations to purchase reusable respirator masks are being accepted online through GoFundMe.
For more information, call 980-233-3900 or email CLTgivePPE@gmail.com.
Donors are asked to drop off the medical donations as specified by CLTgivesPPE.
As a reminder, all Charlotte Goodwill retail stores and donation centers remain closed. Goodwill asks donors to hold off on bringing in items until the stores reopen following the coronavirus crisis.
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