×

News publications and other organizations are encouraged to reuse Direct Relief-published content for free under a Creative Commons License (Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International), given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

When republishing:

  • Include a byline with the reporter’s name and Direct Relief in the following format: "Author Name, Direct Relief." If attribution in that format is not possible, include the following language at the top of the story: "This story was originally published by Direct Relief."
  • If publishing online, please link to the original URL of the story.
  • Maintain any tagline at the bottom of the story.
  • With Direct Relief's permission, news publications can make changes such as localizing the content for a particular area, using a different headline, or shortening story text. To confirm edits are acceptable, please check with Direct Relief by clicking this link.
  • If new content is added to the original story — for example, a comment from a local official — a note with language to the effect of the following must be included: "Additional reporting by [reporter and organization]."
  • If republished stories are shared on social media, Direct Relief appreciates being tagged in the posts:
    • Twitter (@DirectRelief)
    • Facebook (@DirectRelief)
    • Instagram (@DirectRelief)

Republishing Images:

Unless stated otherwise, images shot by Direct Relief may be republished for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution, given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

  • Maintain correct caption information.
  • Credit the photographer and Direct Relief in the caption. For example: "First and Last Name / Direct Relief."
  • Do not digitally alter images.

Direct Relief often contracts with freelance photographers who usually, but not always, allow their work to be published by Direct Relief’s media partners. Contact Direct Relief for permission to use images in which Direct Relief is not credited in the caption by clicking here.

Other Requirements:

  • Do not state or imply that donations to any third-party organization support Direct Relief's work.
  • Republishers may not sell Direct Relief's content.
  • Direct Relief's work is prohibited from populating web pages designed to improve rankings on search engines or solely to gain revenue from network-based advertisements.
  • Advance permission is required to translate Direct Relief's stories into a language different from the original language of publication. To inquire, contact us here.
  • If Direct Relief requests a change to or removal of republished Direct Relief content from a site or on-air, the republisher must comply.

For any additional questions about republishing Direct Relief content, please email the team here.

Direct Relief Boosts PPE Deliveries to Hotspots as Covid-19 Cases Reach New Highs in U.S.

Spiking cases generate wave of requests for emergency support from several states.

News

Covid-19

Protective gear, including isolation gowns and gloves, is staged for shipment in Direct Relief's warehouse on Nov. 5, 2020. Health facilities across the U.S. have continued requesting PPE and other medical essentials as Covid-19 cases spike. (Maeve O'Connor/Direct Relief)
By Tony Morain

The United States is setting records for daily Covid-19 cases, with more than 100,000 cases recorded on Wednesday. Some areas that had previously recorded low numbers, including the Dakotas, Montana and Idaho, are now reporting their highest numbers of infections, while other areas that were tremendously impacted earlier in the year, such as Brooklyn, New York, are reporting a troubling upward creep of case counts.

The spike in recent cases has exacerbated chronic shortages of PPE, particularly in hotspots, in response to which Direct Relief has intensified emergency deliveries of PPE and other essential medications to U.S. health facilities requesting help. The organization has continuously shipped PPE, essential medicines and other requested items to health providers in all 50 U.S. states and territories since the start of the pandemic.

Over the last two weeks, the organization has shipped 282 shipments of medical aid, amounting to 26,937 pounds, to 246 hospitals, community health centers, free clinics, public health departments, and other health safety net facilities in the United States. These shipments contained specifically requested medications and supplies, such as N95 masks, surgical masks, face shields, isolation gowns, gloves, coveralls, thermometers, pulse oximeters, antibiotics, and vaccines for healthcare employees.

Ongoing Support to New Areas of Concern

Another infusion of PPE from Direct Relief is currently underway in response to requests from areas experiencing a “third wave” of infections.

Hospitals in El Paso, Texas have requested support recently, including the El Paso Medical Center, which received three portable ventilators and five oxygen concentrators to assist a surge in patients. A shipment containing 4,800 N95 masks and 300 pulse oximeters is also being prepared for the hospital currently. Primary care in the area was also on the receiving end of Direct Relief support, as El Paso health center, Centro San Vicente, also received an infusion of support this week, including critical PPE, including gowns, face shields, and N95 masks.

Shipments also departed for Montana, including to Kalispell Regional Healthcare, which requested nearly 10,000 N95 masks, face shields, thermometers, gowns and pulse oximeters. Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, and Marias Medical Center in Shelby, are also receiving PPE and other requested medical aid. Direct Relief staff have also reached out to hospitals in Cut Bank, Browning and Harve and are ready to respond to any requests. In Idaho, Bronner General Hospital in Sandpoint and St. Luke’s in Boise, will also be receiving PPE support in the coming weeks.

In New York, Brownsville Health Center in Brooklyn will be receiving N95s and surgical masks to support their work. The health center has provided expanded testing in the area, while maintaining ongoing services for primary, specialty, dental and mental health services, creating a need for PPE support.

The Response to Date, with More to Come

Since the start of the pandemic, Direct Relief has sent more than 24,000 shipments containing more than 43 million masks, 7 million gloves and millions of other PPE items, to more than 1,900 health facilities throughout the U.S. and world.

As the winter months begin and the pandemic continues, the organization stands ready to respond as needed.

Filed Under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Giving is Good Medicine

You don't have to donate. That's why it's so extraordinary if you do.