Minnesota health professionals seeking mask donations amid shortage

Hospitals say they are running into a drastic shortage of personal protective equipment, and health care professionals are now asking for the public’s help.

Saturday was the first day of the Minnesota Nurse’s Association’s drive for new and unused certified N95 masks. They will continue accepting donations on Sunday between noon and 2 p.m.

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Anyone who would like to donate can drop off the supplies at the organization’s office at 345 Randolph Avenue in St. Paul. All donors are asked to stay in their cars; staff will come get the masks from you.

Allina Health and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota have also partnered to set up more than a dozen dropoff locations for people to donate masks:

• Abbott Northwestern Hospital, 800 E 28th St., Minneapolis, MN
• Abbott Northwestern Hospital – West Health, 2805 Campus Drive, Plymouth, MN
• Buffalo Hospital, 303 Catlin St., Buffalo, MN
• Cambridge Medical Center, 701 S Dellwood S.t, Cambridge, MN
• District One Hospital, 200 State Ave., Faribault, MN
• Mercy Hospital – Mercy Campus, Coon Rapids, 4050 Coon Rapids Blvd., Coon Rapids, MN
• Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus, Fridley, 550 Osborne Road, Fridley, MN
• New Ulm Medical Center, 1324 5th St. N., New Ulm, MN
• Owatonna Hospital, 2250 NW 26th St., Owatonna, MN
• Regina Medical Center, 1175 Nininger Road, Hastings, MN
• River Falls Area Hospital, Wisconsin, 1629 E. Division St., River Falls, WI
• St. Francis Regional Medical Center, 1455 St. Francis Ave., Shakopee, MN
• United Hospital, 333 Smith Ave. N., St. Paul, MN
• Courage Kenny Rehabilitation, Golden Valley, 3915 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, MN

Allina said it was asking for any factory-made N95 and earloop masks, as well as hand-sewn earloop masks. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota’s website has more information on how to get involved and for instructions on making CDC-compliant masks.