Mobilizing Masks for Health Care Providers to Collect 3 Million Masks During COVID-19 Pandemic
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[TORONTO, ON., March 25, 2020] – Since their launch less than 48 hours ago, a local grassroots organization, Mobilizing Masks for Health Care Providers, has been able to collect nearly 10,000 masks for hospitals across the Greater Toronto Area. With a goal of three million masks in three weeks, Mobilizing Masks for Health Care Providers has been arranging for contactless pick ups of masks donations across the GTA and receiving monetary donations, with the help of their partners, Carefirst Seniors and Community Services.
Shocked by the reports of diminishing personal protective equipment amongst Ontario hospitals, this organization recognized that frontline health care providers would be at an increased risk of exposure and infection of COVID-19 without the necessary protective equipment. In the United States, Italy and United Kingdom, they have reported health care workers having to re-use masks or utilize make shift personal protective equipment.
Mobilizing Masks for Health Care Providers is calling on the community and private businesses in Ontario to donate their personal collection of N95 and surgical masks to ensure that our frontline health care workers have immediate access to adequate protection.
“These masks will be going directly to frontline hospital workers. They will be checked, itemized, sorted and delivered by ourselves and the Carefirst mobilization team. Our health care workers must be protected so that they can save lives. We can only get through this pandemic if we work together.” Dr. Karen Wang, Project Mobilizer
Individuals or businesses interested in donating masks or financially can visit our webapp at www.frontlinemasks.ca and indicate on the comments "donation for masks" or call the Carefirst hotline at 416-646-5108. Emails regarding donations can be directed to mobilizemasks@gmail.com.
Mobilizing Masks for Health Care Providers is a grassroots organization of physicians and advocates in the Greater Toronto Area. Carefirst is a non-profit, registered charitable community services organization established in 1976. For more information, visit our webapp www.frontlinemasks.ca, on Facebook at fb.me/frontlinemasksGTA, on Twitter @frontlinemasks, or call the Carefirst hotline at 416-646-5108. Emails regarding donations can be directed to mobilizemasks@gmail.com.
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Contact:
Edith Lam, Director of Development and Communications
Edith.lam@carefirstontario.ca
416-847-6007
