If you can, please donate any PPE (Positive Protective Equipment) - masks, respirators, protective gowns/shielding, gloves, goggles, etc to a hospital near you!

I'm sure you've been hearing this a lot lately, but can't stress it enough. The shortages are significant and widespread.

For anyone in the B/CS area, I can tell you this is a concern here right now (my wife and I are both physicians in town). Virus hasn't hit yet, but expect it to likely happen sometime soon IMO.
With regards to PPE, we are not well prepared. Fortunately, I'm not on the "front lines" but my wife, as an Anesthesiologist, is putting herself at significant risk anytime performing airway management on potential COVID patients (or even silent carriers). Likewise, this is especially concerning for those managing airways in confirmed COVID positive patients in ER/ICU, etc.

Equipment shortages play a large role in the decision by hospitals to halt all "elective" surgical cases and procedures for now (also an order issued by Gov. Abbott today, if you missed it). We simply don't have adequate supplies of PPE to protect our providers if a surge of COVID cases occurs.

We also don't have a backup supply of doctors/nurses (especially Critical Care Specialists), so keeping them healthy is essential. Trust me, you probably don't want me getting called to come in and treat you while in respiratory failure in the ICU. I would gladly step up to help but, honestly, the future is bleak at that point.

Please spread the word and donate if you can. Can't tell you how much those on the front lines appreciate the support.

Please PM me if you can help.

PM sent

Did you fill out the request on Harbor Freights website?

I have a question about what type of gloves would be accepted by the hospitals. I have a couple of packages of gloves I'd like to donate, but they both make it clear on the packaging that they are not for medical use.

Would you (or any hospital) still use these? I think I know the answer, but just want to make sure.

Seen this link posted on other websites. Give it a shot.

https://www.harborfreight.com/ppe-request.html?utm_source=Eric_letter_2020_03_22&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Eric_letter_2020_03_22&cid=mEmail_sEric_letter_2020_03_22&uid=6764ccaf81b0bcd1f0caeb200280944e59a2e370e9f648f7d555920a0ceeb348

Good post.

But WTF CANT WE JUST CRANK THIS **** OUT HERE STATESIDE?!? IS IUR MANUFACTURING THAT FAR GONE TO THE CHICOMS?!??!?

I agree. Turn those machines back on!

Who is the person/agency to contact to sell masks to the state? I know someone who deals with large quantities of masks but can't find who to contact to potentially get the ball rolling

PM sent. I work for a local sew shop manufacturer that can also possibly make clear face shields. Need information to move forward.

I can't PM, is there a place we can drop off?

ham98 said:

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Who is the person/agency to contact to sell masks to the state? I know someone who deals with large quantities of masks but can't find who to contact to potentially get the ball rolling

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Link to Executive Leadership of Texas Health and Human Services. Might be a place to start.

https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/leadership/executive-teams-organizational-chart

There is also SETRAC which coordinates EMS services in the Southeast part of Texas.

https://www.setrac.org/staff-directory/

The last resource is Texas Department of Health.

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/contact.shtm

Bottlerocket said:

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I agree. Turn those machines back on!

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What machines?

The equipment is very likely long gone from the US.

I was simply quoting Trading Places

Plenty of machines still stateside. Problem is materials are all made overseas. I've spent the better part of the day locating fabrics and plastics that are stocked or manufactured in the US.