Face Masks for Iowan Healthcare Workers

In Dire Need are: Frontline healthcare workers such as doctors, nurses, healthcare providers treating COVID-19 patients and personnel in nursing and assisted living homes caring for “at-risk” groups.

We realized that inventory is scarce and demand is not keeping up with the needs. Even with US companies upping their production, the anticipated demand for 3.5billion masks is far from reality, therefore, we are resorting to importing medical supplies from China where inventory is available. The legislation was passed recently allowing the use of non-medical N95 respirators to be used in Public Health settings, which allowed 3M and other major companies to start sending millions of N95 respirators to the rescue, however, the supply is still not meeting the anticipated demand.

As of 3.27.2020, the cost of imported N95 respirators is $2/mask delivered by Air cargo to the US. Pricing may fluctuate but we are monitoring prices on a regular basis. We would like to raise enough to secure a shipment of 50,000 respirators to be used in Iowa.