Last Wednesday, Alaska Airlines used one of its Boeing 737-700 freighters to transport PPE materials to make COVID-19 face masks, like the n95 mask, for healthcare workers.
We are in a crisis where there is a massive shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) to supply the real heroes of COVID-19, our healthcare workers. The shortage of PPE includes:
- N-95 face masks,
- Face shields,
- Gloves and
- Gowns.
To support the Providence Hospital network of hospitals, Alaska Airlines airlifted materials to manufacture 210,000 hospital-grade masks. Providence operates 51 hospitals in the western United States.
Alaska’s flights carrying this cargo originated in Seattle and landed in Dallas, Phoenix and Los Angeles, where the masks will be assembled. They will then be distributed to Providence hospitals throughout Alaska, California, New Mexico, Montana, Oregon, Texas and Washington state.
“For years, Alaska Airlines has helped us fly doctors, nurses and other medical personnel up and down the West Coast. Now more than ever, it’s mission-critical to get protective equipment to caregivers, who are caring for millions of people in the communities we serve,” said Dr. Amy Compton-Phillips, the chief clinical officer for Providence. “We are heartened by all the great companies stepping up to the 100 Million Mask Challenge and hope more will join our efforts to protect our country’s caregivers.”
