Shielding Our Defenders Southern Branch

Surgical-grade face masks and N95 respirators are an essential part of the resources needed by healthcare workers in all fields. Not only are they necessary to ensure the safety of individuals in continuous exposure to confirmed COVID-19 patients, but they also to continue standard medical procedures. However, with demand rising sharply in recent weeks, protective equipment is in short supply in the United States. 


With many facilities quickly running out of supplies, many healthcare workers are in danger to prolonged exposure and possible infection. In Italy, facing issues that mirror those in the US, healthcare workers consist of 9% of confirmed COVID-19 cases. "We have 17 adult employees and only 4 masks left! Our masks are on backorder indefinitely. I have been reusing mine and it won't last another day." wrote one worker. Another commented, “We do not have enough PPE [personal protective equipment], we do not have the correct PPE, and we do not have the appropriate staffing to handle this pandemic.”


As a branch of Shielding Our Defenders, we hope to provide necessary PPE to hospitals in need across the South. With markets in the US flooded with demand, masks and respirators will be imported from Hong Kong. Any donations will go directly to supporting retail and shipping costs– at current estimates, one N95 mask costs between 5-7 USD while one KN95 costs about 2 USD. Regulations in Asia about shipping masks are constantly changing. You will be refunded in the unfortunate event that we are unable to ship the masks into the United States.


We need donations as soon as possible. Your contribution, large or small, will make an immense and immediate impact. Furthermore, our campaign depends on word of mouth to spread. Please share this page with your family and friends.


Thank you for your compassion in these difficult times. We hope for the safety and wellbeing of every individual impacted in this crisis.