The Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center, located at Mercer University School of Medicine, has been in contact with rural hospitals across the state who have an urgent need for personal protective equipment (PPE), including isolation gowns, surgical masks, gloves, and more. Mercer University School of Medicine students expressed a desire to work with the Center to organize drives to obtain such PPE and other needed items to distribute to area hospitals in need. Macon campus student volunteers will accept donations on Friday, April 17th from 1pm-5pm in the parking lot of Mercer Medicine, the School of Medicine’s multi-specialty physician practice, located at 250 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in Downtown Macon.
The following items will be accepted:
- N95 masks
- Surgical masks
- Face shields
- Surgical gowns
- Shoe covers
- Gloves
- 70% isopropyl alcohol
- Disinfectant sprays
- Cleaning wipes
- Hand-sewn medical masks and scrub caps
- Bottled water
- Snacks such as chips, cookies, granola bars, fruit bars, and crackers
- Paper plates
Items may be dropped off at an orange tent in the parking lot of Mercer Medicine with volunteers and donors maintaining a safe distance of at least 6 feet. Donated items should be in the original packaging, if possible, or in zip-top bags or other containers. Anyone who is currently experiencing or has experienced within the last two weeks any symptoms such as cough, fever, or shortness of breath should refrain from participating in the donation drive.