The MUMC will be hosting once again a Red Cross Blood Drive. The event will be held on Thursday,, January 4th, from 2:00pm to 7:00pm at the church.
Here are some important FACTS to consider as you make the decision to donate:
- NO TRANSMISSION BY BLOOD
There have been no reported cases of any respiratory virus being transmitted by blood, including this coronavirus (COVID-19). Donating blood is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give blood. - Your blood drive is deemed an essential activity, as outlined by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Travel to and from the blood drive is permitted during these movement-restricted times.
Your blood drive team is ALWAYS CAUTIOUS. The Red Cross always employs thorough safety protocols to help prevent the spread of any type of infection. In response to COVID-19, we’ve implemented additional precautionary methods, including but not limited to:
- All donors are temperature-screened before being permitted into the blood drive. If bodily temperature is above 99.5°F, as measured at the blood drive, the donor is asked to donate another time instead. We ask prospective donors to take their temperature before traveling to the drive as well to avoid an unnecessary trip.
- All Red Cross staff are asked to check their temperature before presenting to work, and will not to report for work if they are showing any symptoms or test above 99.5°F.
- Blood donors are asked to use hand sanitizer before and during the donation process.
- Staff wear gloves throughout the donation process, changing gloves between every donor.
- Donor beds are sanitized between every donor.
- We’re implementing medically-recommended space between donors wherever possible. Social distancing procedures will be listed here as we get closer to the date.
There are number of additional protocols are being implemented to protect both the donors and the workers. It is imperative that everyone participating follows these rules.
- Scheduled Appointments. To help manage donor flow and social distancing at blood drives, appointments are highly encouraged. Please note, walk-ins will not be accepted.
- No Guests at Blood Drives. Please note that in the spirit of social distancing, guests will not be able to attend your blood drive (e.g. babies, children or teens, unless teen is donating blood).
