ALBANY, Ga. — Hospitals and healthcare workers all over the country are treating patients during this pandemic. But, many are running low on crucial supplies needed.
On Saturday, the White House said some much-needed help may be coming. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise. Hospitals and healthcare workers are starting to run low on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
That includes face masks, gloves, and eye protection.
Vice President Mike Pence stressed the importance, on Saturday, of avoiding unnecessary doctor appointments to help preserve those resources.
“On behalf of the president, we do renew our call for Americans to postpone elective medical procedures, including dental procedures,” he said.
But Vice President Pence offered some good news, as well, for healthcare workers.
“In fact, I’m pleased to report through the president today that HHS just placed and order for hundreds of millions of N-95 masks that will be made available to healthcare providers across the country,” he said.
In the meantime, there are volunteers like those at the Phoebe Putney Memorial hospitals who are helping make masks.
And then, there are groups like MAP International who are helping to gather supplies and distribute them.
“It is critical that healthcare workers on the front line have this equipment - the face masks, the face shields, the gloves, the PPE – because they’re putting themselves in danger,” Steve Stirling, the organization’s president and CEO, said.
He said MAP International donated more than a million masks and thousands of gloves and suits to Wuhan two months ago. Now the organization is turning its attention to helping in the United States.
“We have been depleted of materials, so now we have to raise money to purchase the face masks, gloves, and PPE,” Stirling said.
MAP International said that donations to help them purchase supplies for healthcare workers can be made on their website.
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