The American Red Cross recently sent out an urgent request for blood and platelet donations. The message comes as a direct result of the evolving health crisis surrounding the coronavirus COVID-19.
“We need people to start turning out in force to give blood,” says Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, in a statement.
That’s largely because people are scared to donate blood due to the virus—which is, of course, an important concern. But consider this quote, from U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams: “You can still go out and give blood. We’re worried about potential blood shortages in the future. Social distancing does not have to mean social disengagement.”
It’s a quote that, for me, a “sometimes” blood donor, finally pushed me to schedule a donation with my blood bank. Giving blood is giving. If I’m not giving, I’m not exercising that part of myself—a part of my humanity—that helps other humans beings.
I hadn’t given blood during shelter-in-place even though I could—and largely due to the very fear that’s driving a potential blood and platelet shortage. I was scared, rife with questions: Could I get COVID-19 from giving blood? If I had it, could I give it? I mean, it’s a hospital-like setting, and people with COVID-19 go to the hospital. So wouldn’t I be putting myself at a higher risk? Would giving blood lower my immunity?
Gratefully, health professionals have already addressed all my questions. Here they are, all in one place, ready to soothe your qualms, and then serve as your motivation to go out and donate. And not just donate—but give.
Schedule a donation through the Red Cross by clicking here.
Can you get COVID-19 from giving blood?
SDI Productions
No.
“There are no data or evidence that this coronavirus can be transmissible by blood transfusion, and there have been no reported cases worldwide of transmissions for any respiratory virus including this coronavirus,” according to the Red Cross.
Are you putting yourself at higher risk of COVID-19 by donating blood given the hospital-like setting?
No.
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The Red Cross has put necessary precautions into place at donation centers in order to minimize risk, which includes, but is not limited to the following.
And, to that point, here’s explicitly what the CDC says about those guidelines as they pertain to blood donation centers: “Examples of these recommendations include spacing donor chairs 6 feet apart, thoroughly adhering to environmental cleaning practices, and encouraging donors to make donation appointments ahead of time.”
Will giving blood lower your immunity?
Arindam Ghosh
No.
“There is no evidence blood donation weakens the immune system,” according to the Rhode Island Blood Center.
(Their directness of which sort of makes me feel silly for asking, but still, thanks, Rhode Island Blood Center).
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