Written by Jennifer Chien
Translated by Diana Chang
Edited by Adriana DiBenedetto
With 367,920 confirmed cases (as of 4/72020) and counting, the United States holds the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally. Many medical professionals have called upon the public through social media to comply with the directions to stay at home, and stay safe. As the widespread shortages continue to put a strain on hospitals and communities as a whole, multiple medical institutions have publicly presented urgent requests for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) all across social media.
Safeguarding the Health of Hospitals and Communities
To express our love and care for the community and health care workers, volunteers from Tzu Chi USA’s National Headquarters made deliveries to four hospitals, a church, and a college in Southern California.
On March 27th, 2020, Tzu Chi volunteers delivered medical masks to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, Beverly Community Hospital, Alhambra Hospital Medical Center, UCLA health Van Nuys Operations warehouse, San Gabriel Mission Church, and Mt. San Antonio College (Mt.SAC).
A total of 5,900 medical masks, 40 N95 respirators, six large bottles of hand sanitizer, and 200 bottles of disinfectant spray were donated.
As the COVID-19 pandemic escalates, many hospitals have set up temporary tents outside the emergency room. Hospital workers explained that people with flu-like symptoms should not enter the emergency room and hospital directly — rather, medical professionals at the entrance and exit of the hospital carry out preventive measures before admission. Residents who enter will be required to take their temperature and report if they are experiencing any flu-like symptoms. If not, individuals are advised to return home for self-isolation while continuing to observe these symptoms.
Helping Heroes on the Front Lines
Lester Fujimoto, the Vice President of Development and Community Relations at Beverly Hospital, graciously received the donated materials delivered by Tzu Chi volunteers.
The hospital is grateful to you for these donations. It’s needed by front line medical workers, which allows them to take better care of patients, families, and colleagues. During the pandemic against the novel coronavirus, N95 respirators, surgical masks, face shields, etc., and hand sanitizers are scarce supplies at this time, not only does the hospital need them, the front line heroes of various community service departments, such as police departments, fire stations, and social welfare organizations, also need them.
To express our love and care for the community and health care workers, volunteers from Tzu Chi USA’s National Headquarters made deliveries to four hospitals, a church, and a college in Southern California.
On March 27th, 2020, Tzu Chi volunteers delivered medical masks to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, Beverly Community Hospital, Alhambra Hospital Medical Center, UCLA health Van Nuys Operations warehouse, San Gabriel Mission Church, and Mt. San Antonio College (Mt.SAC).
Although our hospital is quiet with no confirmed cases, it's expected that the situation will get worse with the growing pandemic. The medical workers at the hospital really need these supplies. Thank you very much Tzu Chi!
Sharing Resources With the Community
Hoping to flatten the curve and ensure hospital workers know how deeply cherished they are, Tzu Chi volunteers vow to help keep them safe, and keep communities healthy as well through such donations during these difficult and often overwhelming times.
Tzu Chi has had a good relationship with community hospitals for a long time. Many doctors working in these hospitals are members of the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA), and many Tzu Chi family members and friends are also working at these hospitals. We're paying it forward to the community in times of need, and reminding the members to work together to support each other with in the hopes of ending the pandemic as soon as possible.
Built in 1771, the San Gabriel Mission Church is considered to be a historic landmark in San Gabriel, California — one of 21 Spanish missions in the state. Food distributions are held each Sunday, and on weekdays, many tourists like to stop by for a visit, as it’s a popular sightseeing spot in Los Angeles. It’s also one of the more commonly selected backdrops for Los Angeles residents to take wedding photos.
However, due to the stay-at-home orders, the church is now silent and quite empty.
Father Ray Smith, a priest of San Gabriel Mission Church, said that the church will distribute food every Sunday morning — usually for 150 to 170 households. Due to the pandemic, the demand for food by the community has increased since last week, and was expanded to serve 200 households. Tzu Chi’s donation of personal protective supplies will, therefore, help both the volunteers and the beneficiaries stay safe during food distribution events.
Tzu Chi USA will continue to prepare and provide medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical institutions and heroes serving communities on the front lines of the pandemic with the utmost care.
Help us flatten the curve together as we strive to ensure the safety of communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
