Scott Rozmus, CEO of FlorStar Sales and chairman of Bravo Services, has issued the following message to the industry regarding support for the healthcare community currently entrenched in the fight against COVID-19.
“Understandably, we all are focused right now on doing what we must to keep ourselves, our families and our employees safe. I am reaching out as chairman of Bravo Services to ask everyone to investigate any means you have to obtain personal protective equipment (PPE) to donate to the medical community.
Among possible sources are the ‘pro shops’ or sundries branches many of our firms operate. Often, these firms will stock and sell respirators, including N95 masks from 3M. While not medically rated for liability purposes, it is my understanding that the medical community is very interested in obtaining such masks in the current crisis. FlorStar already has donated more than 500 to local hospitals and medical facilities.
Perhaps like many of you, I have personal contacts with prominent physicians, including doctors with significant responsibility within major public health departments. I am personally aware that some major hospitals already have run out of available ICU beds and are making difficult patient decisions as a result.
While we cannot provide beds, donating PPE equipment is something Bravo can do to help our communities. Our medical professionals have significant anxiety, both for their patients and themselves, in part due to the lack of PPE. Even if your firm has no such material, you might consider using your position as a local business leader to reach out to local dentists (now closed in many states), auto body shops, painting firms, etc., as well as your competitors.
My own children are canvassing such firms for PPE to assist in this effort. Please understand that my sending this message is not indicative of my support for or against any political figures. Rather, I have talked to many doctors and understand from them that the need is real.
Thank you for your attention to this message and for any assistance you can provide. Anyone who comes up with PPE but cannot find folks interested in it locally, please contact me as I am aware of facilities, particularly in the New York area, in desperate need.”