As federal, state, and local governments race to contain COVID-19, we are witnessing the toll it is having on our healthcare systems in the form of pending overload and supply chain constraints. The World Health Organization has stated that the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment is endangering healthcare workers worldwide. A scarcity of PPE in our local hospitals is forcing staff to reuse equipment, make their own, and/or improvise. The social media hashtag #GetMePPE reflects the desperation and fear.
NYC. Mother of two, double frontline MD couple. Don’t make us orphan our two toddlers. Running out of masks, eye protection and gloves at work. @VP @NYGovCuomo #GetMePPE @choo_ek pic.twitter.com/siI9TegNOL
— Cornelia Griggs (@CorneliaLG) March 18, 2020
This is what it looks like in the ICU. Rows of brown bags each labeled with the name of a nurse or doctor . We are told to keep and reuse these masks , which under normal conditions would be thrown out each time we leave the isolation room. #GetMePPE pic.twitter.com/8blP8LzAGv
— Victoria (@V_Q_W) March 19, 2020
This is my mother, a hospitalist in another state. It’d be fantastic if she wasn’t so scared that she was making masks out of coffee filters. #GetMePPE pic.twitter.com/zHiZd4L2xF
— Lakshman Swamy (@laxswamy) March 21, 2020
IBCF is committed to equipping our front line workers who are protecting us with the supplies they need to protect themselves. We are calling for donations to promote this endeavor. Together we can keep our healthcare workers safe and in turn, help keep each other safe.
Click on the button to donate. Every little bit helps.
To donate in other ways or volunteer to help, please contact us.