Are you putting yourself at higher risk of COVID-19 by donating blood? NO

06/09/2020 12:44 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

No.  The Red Cross has put necessary precautions into place at donation centers to minimize risk, which includes, but is not limited to the following:

  • Employees wearing gloves and changing them often
  • Wiping down donor-touched areas after every collection
  • Using sterile collection sets for every donation
  • Preparing the arm for donation with aseptic scrub
  • Conducting donor mini-physicals to ensure health on day of donation
  • Enhanced disinfecting of surfaces and equipment
  • Providing hand sanitizer for use before entering and throughout the appointment
  • Temperature checks before donors enter the blood drive or donation center
  • Following social distancing practices between donors including donor beds, as well as waiting and refreshment areas
  • Staff wearing basic face masks
  • For the safety of our donor community and in accordance with CDC guidelines, all donors are required to wear a face covering or mask. If you do not have one, a mask will be provided to you.

The Red Cross has sent out an urgent request for blood and platelet donations.  Blood donors have cancelled appointments and stayed away from blood drives because of the evolving COVID-19 health crisis.  People are scared to donate blood because of the virus.  But the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams said, "You can still go out and give blood.  We're worried about potential blood shortages in the future.  Social distancing does not have tom mean social disengagement." 

Schedule your donation appointment here.


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