Donate protective medical gear to local hospitals

Both University of Michigan’s hospitals and Saint Joseph Mercy are asking for donations of new and unused medical supplies that residents and businesses may have in order to supplement dwindling supplies as COVID-19 cases continue to increase in Washtenaw County.

U of M is asking for:

• Disposable face masks
• N95 masks, sometimes called respirators
• Eye protection including face shields and safety goggles
• Disposable gowns
• Disposable gloves, especially non-latex
• Disposable surgical caps
• Disposable foot covers
• Wipes: bleach or antimicrobial
• Hand sanitizer

More specialized items:

• PAPRs (powered air-purifying respirators) and PAPR hoods
• Nasal testing swabs
• Viral testing kits

They CAN’T accept:

• At this time U-M is not accepting home-sewn reusable masks or 3-D printed ventilator parts. However, if this changes, an announcement will be made.
• Donations of other items such as medications, food, blankets, medical equipment or other supplies are not needed at this time. If that changes, an announcement will be made.

You can bring your donations to 2800 Plymouth Road in Ann Arbor which is set back from Plymouth Road and Huron Parkway, Monday through Friday, 7 am to 6 pm. Donors should enter from Huron Parkway and follow signs to the loading dock. Donors will not need to get out of their cars if they prefer. Staff will maintain safe physical distance from donors, will wear gloves, and regularly clean their hands. Donors will be asked to provide basic contact information and may request a receipt for their records. The loading dock can accommodate donations of all sizes.

Monetary donations to support Michigan Medicine COVID-19 operations can be made at http://victors.us/covid19

St. Joes is accepting:

• PAPRs
• Regular Masks
• N95 Masks
• Face shields
• Gowns
• Hot Glue Sticks
• Surgical Caps/Protective Caps
• Eyeglass shields/goggles
• Nasal Testing Swabs
• M4 Viral Media
• Lysol or Clorox Wipes
• Hand Sanitizer
• Transparency Sheets

You can bring your donations to St. Joe’s Chelsea: Drop off at the white tent near the emergency department, 775 S. Main St. in Chelsea. Donation Center hours will be 8 am – 4 pm daily (Hours may change due to staffing).

Donors who are not feeling well should wait until they feel better to donate.

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.