Memphis kindness blog, April 4: China donates face masks to UTHSC
Gifts of face masks from medical center partners in China are arriving at UTHSC. (Courtesy of UTHSC)
As we navigate through this difficult time of dealing with the coronavirus, it is important to capture those instances where Memphians are coming together for each other. Those acts of kindness, generous moments and just feel-good instances happening all around us. Our reporters will be out looking for these. We also want to hear from you. If you have a nomination for our Memphis Kindness blog, email us at memphiskindness@dailymemphian.com. Thank you for reading. — Ronnie Ramos, executive editor Editor’s Note: The Daily Memphian is making our coronavirus coverage accessible to all readers — no subscription needed. Our journalists continue to work around the clock to provide you with the extensive coverage you need; if you can subscribe, please do.
UTHSC receives masks from partners in China
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center has received thousands of masks from from universities in China.
Donald Thomason, dean of the College of Graduate Health Sciences, said the college has already received 2,000 masks from Hebei University and Hebei Medical University. Another 10,000 are en route from Harbin Medical University. First Hospital of Qiqihar City, another partner, is also sending masks.
The first delivery was Tuesday morning. Another shipment of 1,000 masks arrived Thursday. Shipments of PPE are also expected.
“This is what the spirit of humanity looks like. It’s not about politics, not about personalities, simply the Golden Rule,” Thomason said.
“We do not have the capacity to bring millions of face masks to New York like the former NBA player (Stephon Marbury), but this may help in relieving somehow the burden on UTHSC,” said Weikuan Gu, professor of orthopaedic surgery.
Gu and other faculty and staff have been actively developing relationships for UTHSC in China.
“While the N95 masks are for clinical use, certain people at work — such as the police, supporting staff and exponential personnel in the offices and labs — may really need to wear these general clinical face masks,” he said.
Second Presbyterian Church choir remembers pastor taken by COVID-19
Members of the Memphis faith community have recognized the christian spirit and dedicated service of Tim Russell, an assistant pastor at Second Presbyterian Church, who died Monday, March 30 from the coronavirus.
And although the constraints of social distancing have temporarily halted many conventional expressions of sympathy, the choir from Second Presbyterian found a way to minister to Russell’s widow, Kathe.
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