Recently, an email was sent to all EMGW guild members regarding the need for personal protective equipment at local hospitals.  The purpose of this message is to reach out to other viewers of this website who are not necessarily the guild members who received that email.  We recommended that any PPE (face masks, especially N95, nitrile gloves, gowns, and face shields that you have no immediate need to call your local Board of Health, Primary Care Provider’s office, Fire Department (they usually run the EMS service), or nearest hospital and ask where/how you can donate.  Some will accept packages that are opened so don’t let that stop you.

To emphasize that request, we received an unsolicited email from Michael Coughlin, a mental health clinician working in several Boston EDs with an urgent request for PPEs, especially, N95 masks and clear (non-mesh) face shields for Carney Hospital in Dorchester.  It was a heart-wrenching email for concern for the understaffed and under-equipped healthcare workers.  They are in such need, someone will come to pick up whatever you can offer that are in reasonably good shape.  (For example, some hospitals are decontaminating N95 masks using vaporized hydrogen peroxide.)  Please call Michael at 781-856-2032.  Thank you.