Mercer to hold donation drive Friday to help area hospitals battle coronavirus

Answering an urgent call among rural hospitals across Georgia for isolation gowns, surgical masks, gloves and the like, Mercer University School of Medicine students at the Macon campus have organized a fundraising drive Friday.

The drive is from 1 to 5 p.m. in the parking lot of Mercer Medicine at 250 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in downtown Macon. The donations will be distributed to area hospitals in need, according to a Mercer University news release.

Here’s what’s needed: N95 masks, surgical masks, face shields, surgical gowns, shoe covers, gloves, 70% isopropyl alcohol, disinfectant sprays, cleaning wipes, hand-sewn medical masks and scrub caps, bottled water, chips, cookies, granola bars, fruit bars, crackers and other snacks, and paper plates

An orange tent will be set up in the parking lot where donations may be dropped off. Volunteers and donors are asked to maintain a safe distance of 6 feet.

If possible, donated items should be in original packaging, or in zip-top bags or other containers.

If you’re experiencing, or have experienced within the last two weeks, any symptoms such as cough, fever or shortness of breath, you’re asked to refrain from participating in the donation drive.

The donation drive is a cooperative effort among Mercer University School of Medicine Macon campus students, the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center and Mercer Medicine. It’s part of Mercer’s efforts to help medical professionals combat the new coronavirus.

This story was originally published April 16, 2020 at 3:01 PM.