NOVA Mask Brigade

Overview

We are a small group of volunteers attempting to fill a (hopefully) temporary need by collecting N-95 masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) from the community and local businesses to donate back to our healthcare workers on the front line. Masks are in very short supply in many area hospitals and nursing homes--and early data suggests that healthcare workers are at much greater risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus. They are risking their lives to save yours.

You may have purchased some of these masks to handle fumes for various home improvement projects or perhaps you bought some at the beginning of this pandemic. Or maybe you know local businesses who may not need these supplies at the moment. Please consider passing these CRITICAL supplies to some of the nurses, doctors, and health care aids who are in need, so we can keep them healthy and safe. Our goal is to collect at least 5000 masks to #donatebacktoHC.

More emergency operations systems seem to be coming on line and hopefully this role can soon be played by a public agency. Our hope is to be obsolete as soon as possible.

Need PPE

Does your facility need N95 masks or PPE? Please use this form to provide contact information and details on what materials you are looking for: https://forms.gle/AhudCergr15ujjsKA

Donate Now

If you have unused N-95 masks to donate and live in the Northern Virginia area, please click here: https://forms.gle/8nDqyiN5rAxrNeCF6

  • We are currently collecting from the Northern Virginia area only. If you are in Maryland or DC and would like to take the lead on helping us grow this effort, please let us know.

  • We are taking unused masks in good condition. Sealed packaging is better but we have organizations that will accept unused but open.

  • Please wash your hands vigorously with soap for 20-30 seconds before handling masks or your donation.

  • Please place SEALED unused masks in one bag and OPENED PACKAGE unused masks in a separate bag--with a label on bag of which is which. Please include a note with your masks in a bag (1) verifying that they've not been used and (2) any expiration date you can find so that health care teams can decide on the appropriate level of risk.

  • If you requested a pick-up and it didn't happen, please re-request it. We've had a few cases where there was no way to enter a building, or where we did not have needed contact info, or the donation was too far out of area for us to get to.

  • We are in the midst of organizing our drivers. We hope to be able to collect your donations within 24 hours. Be patient as we are all volunteers.

Volunteer to Pick-Up

If you are are able to help collect or distribute donations, and are neither in an at-risk group nor live with anyone who is, please click here: https://forms.gle/qS8rRYisb2AYBSPZA

Other Ways to Donate

If you are outside of the Northern Virginia area, you may want to register your needs with the shipping program at the following link: click here.

There are also local efforts happening in other regions including:

Do you want to set up a donation site in your area or join forces with other efforts? Email us and we will connect you.

Other Skills to Donate

If you have other skills that could be helpful in this effort--communications/social media/logistics/tech-- let's connect and see how we can synergize.

Other Resources

There are a number of other efforts that are coming online to get PPE for docs. Check these out for more information:


*3/22/20: This information will be updated daily.