KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Due to shortages of medical supplies in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, both Ascension and Bronson hospitals are asking the public for help with donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Bronson began accepting donations of this nature Monday. The donations are needed due to what is described as a “critical shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and disinfecting supplies nationwide.”
The following items will be accepted at five locations:
- 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
- Bleach
Bronson cannot accept medication, blankets, toys, clothing or other medical supplies.
In addition to these critical items, Bronson will also accept sewn face masks to conserve supplies. More information on how to do so can be found at this link.
Items that list expiration dates must be unexpired. Officials add that it is essential nobody involved in the distribution or delivery of new/unused materials have any symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath) or have recently been around someone who does.
Bronson will collect acceptable new/unused items from businesses, organizations and community members at the following five locations Monday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.:
- Kalamazoo: Bronson FastCare®, 6220 W. Main St.
- Portage: Bronson Diagnostics at Woodbridge, 2640 W. Centre St.
- Battle Creek: Bronson Urology Specialists, 4441 Capital Avenue Southwest
- Paw Paw: Bronson LakeView Outpatient Center, 451 Health Parkway
- South Haven: Bronson Family Medicine, 930 Blue Star Highway
In addition to Bronson needing donations, Ascension West Michigan announced Tuesday that they are in need of medical supply donations as well.
The organization will begin accepting items on March 25 using a drive-through center. The center will be located at Ascension Borgess Hospital Lawrence Education Center, located at 1521 Gull Road in Kalamazoo.
The items requested by Ascension are largely the same as Bronson:
- Surgical Masks
- Isolation Masks
- N-95 Masks
- Isolation Gowns
- Surgical Gowns
- Full Length Plastic Face Shields
- 3⁄4 Length Plastic Face Shields
- Goggles
Tuesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a statement about the shortage of hospital supplies and PPE equipment.
“Our brave medical professionals and first-responders are on the front lines of keeping us safe, and we must do everything we can to protect them and every Michigander we can from the spread of COVID-19,” Whitmer said. “Right now, medical professionals across the state are forced to reuse face masks. This increases the risk of spreading COVID-19 during a time when we should do everything we can to mitigate it. We’re not getting the tools we need from the federal government, so it’s on all of us to work together to protect each other. ”
According to Whitmer’s office, several Michigan businesses have begun manufacturing personal protective equipment in the last two weeks. As of Tuesday, Ford, 3M, the UAW, and GE Health Care have announced a partnership to manufacture respirators.
The most up-to-date information about the COVID-19 outbreak can be found at https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/ and the CDC website.