GEMINI (Global Emergency Mask Initiative)
GEMINI
The rapid spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 has sparked alarm worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared this rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, and countries around the world are grappling with a surge in confirmed cases. In 2020, GEMINI (Global Emergency Mask Initiative) was created in San Diego, California to begin to supply health care workers around the world with the necessary tools to help protect and fight against COVID-19.
The Issue
As the health care system strains to accommodate the unprecedented challenge of the coronavirus outbreak, many medical professionals on the front lines do not have adequate protection.
Many are reusing masks and gloves. Others have taken to social media with public pleas for help using the hashtag #GetMePPE, an acronym for personal protective equipment. Without proper covering, every new bedside visit might prove fatal, especially for older physicians and their families.
Many doctors have said they were being given just one mask, to use indefinitely. Between patients, they spray it down with a disinfectant, hoping for the best. But they feared that being forced to reuse a mask might infect patients who did not yet have the virus. This is unacceptable.
What can we do?
The goal of this initiative is to raise $100,000 to purchase masks for California and Baja California healthcare workers who risk their lives every day to protect our loved ones from a disease that has killed thousands. By donating any amount possible to this GoFundMe campaign, 100 % of your donation will be going to the purchasing and delivery of N95 and KN95 masks for frontline healthcare workers as well as surgical masks for retirement homes.
Our team is located in San Diego, California and we plan on working with exporters from the Netherlands, India, China, and Mexico all working together to help support hospitals with the battle against COVID-19. Because global trade prices are fluctuating every day and the urgent need to get these masks to healthcare workers as soon as possible, we will begin purchasing masks before hitting our target goal of $100,000. Depending on shipping rate, quantity ordered, and supply/demand, the cost of the N95 masks range between $2-$3 apiece, the KN95's are $1-$2 and the surgical masks are $0.30-$0.70 apiece.
Going Forward
We are currently working with health care centers in San Diego, Los Angeles, Tijuana, and Guadalajara with the hope that we can expand our support to help other cities as well. If you or any family/friend works in the health care industry and is in need of medical masks please feel free to contact us! if you're unable to donate monetarily, please share this link to spread the word.
Please feel free to check back on the page for updates!
The rapid spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 has sparked alarm worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared this rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, and countries around the world are grappling with a surge in confirmed cases. In 2020, GEMINI (Global Emergency Mask Initiative) was created in San Diego, California to begin to supply health care workers around the world with the necessary tools to help protect and fight against COVID-19.
The Issue
As the health care system strains to accommodate the unprecedented challenge of the coronavirus outbreak, many medical professionals on the front lines do not have adequate protection.
Many are reusing masks and gloves. Others have taken to social media with public pleas for help using the hashtag #GetMePPE, an acronym for personal protective equipment. Without proper covering, every new bedside visit might prove fatal, especially for older physicians and their families.
Many doctors have said they were being given just one mask, to use indefinitely. Between patients, they spray it down with a disinfectant, hoping for the best. But they feared that being forced to reuse a mask might infect patients who did not yet have the virus. This is unacceptable.
What can we do?
The goal of this initiative is to raise $100,000 to purchase masks for California and Baja California healthcare workers who risk their lives every day to protect our loved ones from a disease that has killed thousands. By donating any amount possible to this GoFundMe campaign, 100 % of your donation will be going to the purchasing and delivery of N95 and KN95 masks for frontline healthcare workers as well as surgical masks for retirement homes.
Our team is located in San Diego, California and we plan on working with exporters from the Netherlands, India, China, and Mexico all working together to help support hospitals with the battle against COVID-19. Because global trade prices are fluctuating every day and the urgent need to get these masks to healthcare workers as soon as possible, we will begin purchasing masks before hitting our target goal of $100,000. Depending on shipping rate, quantity ordered, and supply/demand, the cost of the N95 masks range between $2-$3 apiece, the KN95's are $1-$2 and the surgical masks are $0.30-$0.70 apiece.
Going Forward
We are currently working with health care centers in San Diego, Los Angeles, Tijuana, and Guadalajara with the hope that we can expand our support to help other cities as well. If you or any family/friend works in the health care industry and is in need of medical masks please feel free to contact us! if you're unable to donate monetarily, please share this link to spread the word.
Please feel free to check back on the page for updates!
Organizer
Jose Luis Ascolani
Organizer
San Diego, CA