EDITORIAL: Blood in short supply during pandemic

Published 8:45 am Saturday, April 11, 2020

COVID-19 has not ended the need for blood donations.

With the cancellation of blood drives and people sheltering in place, the need for blood donations is greater than ever, according to agencies that take blood donations.

The American Red Cross urges people to make and keep appointments to give blood.

“During this uncertain time, the Red Cross continues to encourage healthy individuals to schedule and keep donation appointments in the weeks ahead to ensure a stable supply throughout this pandemic,” according to the Red Cross.

“Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions have been implemented to ensure the health of Red Cross donors, employees and volunteers.”

In addition to concerns regarding hospital beds and ventilators, blood-collection agencies say the stability of the blood supply is also of paramount importance.

Blood donation is essential to ensuring the health of our communities, according to the Red Cross. 

More information on the Red Cross, visit RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.