As the world continues to grapple with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, not only have Major League Baseball teams and the union donated to multiple efforts, but several players have individually taken action as well.
Justin Turner partnered with Slice to have pizza delivered to The Dream Center last week as they worked to feed LAUSD students and their families. Turner and his wife Kourtney have continued to provide food for The Dream Center by purchasing from local establishments.
The Los Angeles Dodgers as an organization pledged at least $1 million to Dodger Stadium workers who are facing financial hardship due to the start of the 2020 season being delayed. The Dodgers also were among the teams that committed to paying Minor League players through their Spring Training period prior to MLB mandating all clubs do so.
Now Will Smith has taken action by donating blood in effort to address the shortage caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Smith encouraged fans to join him and said he would acknowledge those who are able to do so on social media.
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According to the American Association of Blood Banks, more than 4,000 blood drives have been cancelled in the United States because of the coronavirus. That’s resulted in a projected loss of 13,000 donations.
In addition to hospitals curtailing elective surgeries at present time so as not to take space from coronavirus patients, such operations have been cancelled in effort to conserve the blood supply.
The American Red Cross has blood donation centers open and has set up new temporary locations at hospitals as well. The donation centers have implemented new protocols to guard against the spread of the coronavirus, including enhanced disinfecting procedures and checking the temperatures of staff members and donors alike.
Appointments are also spaced out and donors are seat six feet apart in order to comply with social distancing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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