SAN FRANCISCO – Thousands of vitally needed masks and other personal protective equipment are being delivered to Bay Area hospitals through a partnership between the COVID-19 Relief Bay Area Task Force and the Service Employees International Union – United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW).

The Task Force has already donated 3,360 N95 masks, 33,000 surgical masks, 20,000 gloves, and 400 gowns to Bay Area health care workers and will deliver another 2,000 masks to the Kaiser San Jose Medical Center donation center at noon tomorrow.

The COVID-19 Relief Bay Area Task Force has been raising money in the Chinese American community to purchase personal protective equipment in China and have it shipped to the Bay Areas for use by front-line healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients. The union has helped direct the donations to the hospitals where they are needed the most.

“Like all Americans, we are deeply appreciative of the dedication of the many frontline workers who daily risk their health and safety to protect our communities,” said Task Force member Liu Lei. “All of us are in this crisis together, and through our contacts in China and with our local fundraising efforts, we are honored to be able to make this small contribution to the safety of our healthcare workers.”

“Every mask we receive is precious because they add a layer of safety as we take care of our patients while trying to protect our own health and the health of our families and our community,” said Kaiser San Jose ED Tech and SEIU-UHW member Deanna Lopez. “We can’t give enough thanks to the Chinese American Community and the COVID-19 Relief Bay Area Task Force for what they are contributing to our fight against COVID-19.”

“Together we are stronger! Everyone can be part of this effort by simply staying at home. Let’s all cooperate to overcome this crisis,” said Task Force member Frank Ouyeung

“The union works with us to make sure that that the protective gear goes to the hospitals where it can do the most good,” said Task Force member Xiao Yan Chen.

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COVID-19 Relief Bay Area Task Force is a network of Chinese American community organizations and individuals working to support our community during the COVID 19 crisis.

SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) is one of the largest unions of hospital workers in the United States, with 97,000 members. Learn more at www.seiu-uhw.org.