Blood Drives in the Pandemic
Abigail Warwick ‘21 Opinion & Editorial Editor
As hospital beds continuously fill up, blood has become one of the most detrimental shortages brought on by the novel coronavirus. The increasing number of patients flooding hospitals worldwide have resulted in less blood to use — and a higher demand for donations. Blood is not only used for coronavirus patients; it is also implemented in the surgical procedures that have continued since the pandemic put them on pause in the spring. There is always a need for blood donations, but since more ICU beds are being filled, the need has increased. In addition to patients needing blood for surgical procedures, Howard High’s nurse, Mrs. Stark, states, “COVID patients can end up in the ICUs and require [a] blood
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COLUMBIA, MARYLAND, October 27, 2020- Blood donation sites adhere to social distancing guidelines from the CDC. ABIGAIL WARWICK/ LION’S TALE
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transfusion, platelets, and plasma.” “Every two seconds in the United States, someone needs a blood transfusion,” she mentions. “Regular blood donations by healthy people ensure that safe blood will be available whenever and wherever it is needed.” Blood donation sites are everywhere. By navigating to the American Red Cross website and clicking the “Donate Blood” tab, users can search for a donation site by searching their zip code in the “Find a drive” page.
The American Red Cross’s database organizes the blood drives by date and time, and users can easily sign up to donate at the most convenient time and place for them. To encourage more people to sign up to donate, the Red Cross has given donors $5 Amazon gift cards if they donate during certain weeks throughout the year. The donation process takes just a few minutes and should go smoothly so long as donors stay hydrated and eat the day of and before. Upon arrival at the donation site, donors will be asked a series of questions and their temperature will be taken, as well as a quick blood sample. After the preparation, the blood donation begins and goes by rather quickly. Donors are given water and a snack, should they want them.
As for students who may be hesitant to donate because of the pandemic, Mrs. Stark assures, “COVID-19 does not pose any specific risks to blood donors during the donation process or from attending blood drives. All practices are designed with your safety in mind, with additional policies around sanitation and increased distance between donors. Blood donors must be healthy and without [a] fever on the day of donations. The risk of exposure to a sick person is extremely low at a blood drive.” Grace Antill, a senior at Howard, donated blood over the summer. Antill, who fainted as a result of her iron deficiency*, says, “The technicians prioritize the safety of those donating.
The only instance where I was not wearing a mask was when I fainted while having my blood drawn; the technicians removed my mask for my own safety as they felt [it was] necessary.” At donation sites, masks are required and seats are placed 6 feet apart. Donating blood is highly encouraged by health care officials all the time, but it is even more important during this trying period when blood is in higher demand.
The American Red Cross’s database organizes the blood drives by date and time, and users can easily sign up to donate at the most convenient time and place for them. To encourage more people to sign up to donate, the Red Cross has given donors $5 Amazon gift cards if they donate during certain weeks throughout the year. The donation process takes just a few minutes and should go smoothly so long as donors stay hydrated and eat the day of and before. Upon arrival at the donation site, donors will be asked a series of questions and their temperature will be taken, as well as a quick blood sample. After the preparation, the blood donation begins and goes by rather quickly. Donors are given water and a snack, should they want them.
As for students who may be hesitant to donate because of the pandemic, Mrs. Stark assures, “COVID-19 does not pose any specific risks to blood donors during the donation process or from attending blood drives. All practices are designed with your safety in mind, with additional policies around sanitation and increased distance between donors. Blood donors must be healthy and without [a] fever on the day of donations. The risk of exposure to a sick person is extremely low at a blood drive.” Grace Antill, a senior at Howard, donated blood over the summer. Antill, who fainted as a result of her iron deficiency*, says, “The technicians prioritize the safety of those donating.
The only instance where I was not wearing a mask was when I fainted while having my blood drawn; the technicians removed my mask for my own safety as they felt [it was] necessary.” At donation sites, masks are required and seats are placed 6 feet apart. Donating blood is highly encouraged by health care officials all the time, but it is even more important during this trying period when blood is in higher demand.