How Can I Donate Blood Safely in a Pandemic?
Donating blood is important to the health of our communities and the need for blood donations to meet the needs of patient care is constant – even more so during a pandemic!
Why is blood donation important?
Every day blood donations are used for life-saving blood transfusions at hospitals and emergency treatment facilities (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)).
People who have fully recovered after being diagnosed with COVID-19 can donate their blood to help current coronavirus patients in need of blood transfusions as they may have COVID-19 antibodies in their blood plasma.
Healthy individuals can donate blood in areas that have issued shelter-in-place declarations or are operating under a phased reopening plan. Below are three things to keep in mind to donate blood safely during the pandemic.
3 Things to Keep in Mind to Safely Donate Blood During COVID-19
1) Make sure you are feeling well and meet blood donation requirements.
Check out our blog posts on why you should and why you should not donate blood as well as eligibility requirements on the American Red Cross’s website. If you do not meet the eligibility requirements, we also compiled a list of other ways you can help without donating at this time!
2) Find a blood drive or donation center near you and schedule an appointment ahead of time.
The American Red Cross has an online blood drive locator that can help you find one closest to you and schedule an appointment.
3) Follow safety protocols during your appointment at the blood drive or donation center.
For the safety of others and to be following CDC guidelines, be sure to sanitize your hands and get your temperature checked as you enter the facility, wear a face covering or mask while at the facility, and maintain hygiene and cough etiquette to other donors and the volunteers.
You can check out this TikTok video from the American Red Cross on what you can expect when donating blood at a blood donation center during COVID-19!
TL;DR
Too Long; Didn’t Read
Blood donations are important to community health especially during a global health pandemic.
Donated blood plasma from those who recovered COVID-19 is helpful in treating current coronavirus patients.
When donating blood during COVID-19, there are a number of things to keep in mind from eligibility to appointment scheduling to safety protocols at blood donation centers.
Wingspan Health
Wingspan connects to your online doctor accounts (“patient portals”) and safely compiles all of your information into one easy-to-use platform. By accessing and understanding your past health information, Wingspan can help you make use of it.