Local doctor organizes donation drive to collect medical supplies for health care workers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With medical clinics turning to virtual doctor appointments in the wake of COVID-19, many health care providers are finding they don’t have a need for personal protective equipment (PPE).

Dr. Sheila Natarajan donated all the masks, gowns and gloves from her clinic to other health care workers, and now she’s hoping others will do the same.

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Goodwill is offering up its parking lot on Wilkinson Boulevard in west Charlotte and the one on Lancaster Highway in Ballantyne to accept donations.

You can drive up and drop donations off on Thursdays and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m.

Medical experts believe coronavirus will peak in about two weeks in the United States and Natarajan wants to ensure people working on the front lines are protected.

“This is an all hands on deck call out to our community to help us. They might have these (masks) lying around in their garages for construction use or painting use,” Natarajan said.

The coronavirus pandemic resulted in nationwide shortages of PPE, leading some medical personnel to reuse equipment or use handmade items.

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