Has anyone donated blood during the pandemic?

[Bleacher Creature]

If so, did you feel safe? I read the info on the Red Cross website and it sounds like they are doing all the right things. I'd really like to do my part, so if it's safe to do I'll donate in a heartbeat (pun sort of intended).

[Throck]

1. Yes

It was by appointment only. No problems. Plenty of personal space.

[Nevilledog]

2. I wonder if they test the blood/donor for active COVID-19 infection or antibodies.

Backdoor way to get tested?

[Kali]

6. they weren't when I was making my appointments

[Nevilledog]

7. There's so much we don't know about this virus.

What's known about transmission through blood? Guess if you're in a position where you need a transfusion it's probably a do or die situation anyway.

[Kali]

8. research is constant and ongoing

found this paper - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7135848/

[Nevilledog]

9. Thank you for the link.

Found this interesting:

In China, most of blood centers or blood banks have taken the following measures during the current outbreak: (1) taking body temperature before blood donation; (2) additional questions in the donor screening questionnaire regarding whether the donor or relatives have related symptoms, have traveled to areas with local transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (Wuhan or Hubei province) within 28 days, or are donors with high risk; (3) calling back all blood donors and asking the donors and their family about their current physical condition after donation; and (4) recalling untransfused blood products from infected donors [57].

[Kali]

11. seems to be the same approach the Red Cross is taking

https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/coronavirus--covid-19--and-blood-donation.html

[leftieNanner]

3. My daughter and her BF did it recently

And I will donate after June 1. We went to Africa last year and you can't donate blood for 12 months after being in a malaria area.
I would guess that the Red Cross is extremely cautious about this, especially because the blood supply is so critical.

Good for you Bleacher Creature!

[Marthe48]

4. My daughter donated last week

And one of my friends donates regularly. I think she donated in April. They seem to be comfortable with the process

Ohio and WV Red Cross centers.

[Kali]

5. I was going to last month, but my son needed my car that day so I rescheduled for late June

I'm rural and the place I prefer to go only does drives a few times per year. I have not ever felt unsafe so I may be an exception.

[hlthe2b]

10. I would do it in an outdoor setting, but they won't consider that (which is nuts from an infectious

standpoint).

I can't risk it right now though.

[leftyladyfrommo]

12. I have 2 friends that are waitresses. They bolstered

their income by selling plasma each week. They nake $350 a month doing that.

[Bettie]

13. We did

and it was fine. They check for a fever and that's about it. Distancing, masks and gloves, wiping down the big chair after each person.

[Quiet_Dem_Mom]

14. Husband has to (therapeutic donation)

Here's the process at the Vitalant (used to be United Blood Services) near us:

>They are only accepting appointments, no walk-in donations allowed. And no waiting-area guests. If you came along with a donor, you cannot wait for them in the donation center.

> Temperature check as you walk-in (donation denied if above 99.5 degrees)

>Second temperature check before donation.

>Masks required during entire donation process. Employees are all masked as well.

> Before the COVID rules, there was a sit/wait area with food and beverage options out on a counter. They've nixed that and only give the food/beverage directly to the donor upon request.

Apart from these items, the procedure is pretty much the same, I believe. Hope that helps!

[tanyev]

15. Hubby and I donated early April and I have mixed feelings about it.

My suggestion would be to call the place you donate and ask them about their procedures. We had appointments, in fact we made the appointments long before things blew up. (Hubby donates double reds every 4 months and I tag along and do whole blood). We did the questionnaire before we went but still sat in the waiting area for a bit. It was busier than we thought it would be, but not crazy busy.

Some staff wore masks, some did not. Our center has tiny little rooms where they do the blood pressure, finger prick, etc. The girl that did mine wore a mask, but the one who did my husband’s was not wearing a mask. Hubby and I both wore masks.

I saw them wiping everything down really well after someone left, and the guy that drew my blood moved away from me as soon as he finished anything he needed to do close in, but I wish they’d all been wearing masks. Maybe they are now, several weeks later.

[ohtransplant]

16. Yes

I gave at a Red Cross site and felt safe. Lots of donors in my area. In fact, I had a hard time getting an appointment.

[Blue_true]

17. I had bloodwork done. I felt safe, the lab was strict about social distancing and

everyone, including clients, having on masks.