The 39th annual Blood Battle blood drive between the University of Michigan and Ohio State is underway, but, as expected this year, with new safety guidelines because of COVID-19.
Due to the pandemic, appointments are highly recommended, because walk-ins will only be allowed as space permits for social distancing. Donors will also get their temperatures checked before entering blood drive facilities, and Red Cross employees will sanitize any donation areas after every use. Susan Cerniglia is a spokesperson for the Washtenaw County Health Departmentand says the safety measures being used by the Red Cross makes it safe to donate blood during the pandemic.
Susan Cerniglia: We don’t see necessarily transmission of COVID-19 happening when there is good prevention strategies being used.
All donors will be required to wear a face covering. For those who don’t have one, masks will be provided. The Blood Battle, in which the schools compete to see which one can collect more donated blood, will run through November 25th. For a list of blood drive locations, click here.
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— Jorge Avellan is a reporter for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him javellan@emich.edu
