WHY DONATING BLOOD IS IMPORTANT DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
​
Before COVID-19, the United States struggled to get enough blood donations.
​
Now, after blood drives across the nation were shut down following early coronavirus concerns, blood banks are struggling more than ever.
​
“Right now, American Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak,” the organization said, urging healthy persons to donate blood, platelets and plasma. “This blood shortage could impact patients who need surgery, victims of car accidents and other emergencies, or patients fighting cancer.” -The Guardian
HOW TO DONATE BLOOD SAFELY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
At each blood drive or donation center, employees will...
-
Wear gloves and change them often
-
Wipe down donor-touched areas after every collection
-
Use sterile collection sets for every donation
-
Prepare the arm for donation with aseptic scrub
-
Conduct donor physicals to ensure donors are healthy and well on day of donation
-
Prohibit donations from people who recently visited China, Italy, South Korea, Iran, Brazil, and Russia.
Each blood drive or donation center will also...
-
Check staff daily for health concerns
-
Disinfect surfaces and equipment more often
-
Provide hand sanitizer for use before entering and throughout the donation appointment
-
Provide temperature checks before presenting donors enter the blood drive or donation center
-
Follow social distancing practices between donors including donor beds, as well as waiting and refreshment areas
-
Staff will always be wearing face masks
-
All donors are also required to wear a face covering or mask.
​
​
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
​
Misconception: “Blood donation centers have to test you for COVID-19 if you donate blood.”
Correction: This is not true. Although your blood is tested for various diseases and illnesses, the novel coronavirus is too new of a disease to be screened as a common practice.
“Your temperature will be checked and you’ll be screened verbally for symptoms, but you will not be tested for COVID-19 when you donate blood. You’ll be asked about symptoms and signs of infection. And you’ll be asked if you’ve been around anyone else who may have a viral infection — and if you have, you’ll be asked not to donate at that time.” (Cleveland Clinic, April 2020).
​
​
WHO CAN DONATE
​
You are eligible to donate blood if:​
-
You are in overall good health.
-
You are over the age of 16 (most states).
-
You weigh at least 110 pounds.