It's the alarm bell ringing in hospitals all over metro Atlanta: the critical need for gloves, masks, and other medical supplies during this Coronavirus pandemic. Now, a group of medical students all across the metro is doing its part to help hospitals reduce the shortage.
Hannah Ferrera, a four-year medical student at Emory University School of Medicine, tells WSB's Jennifer Griffies the response has been overwhelming. She says the group, called Atlanta Student Covid Response, reached out to a variety of businesses in the community who may use the supplies for other reasons, to see if they would donate those supplies to Grady Hospital for the healthcare workers.
"We reached out to veterinary clinics, we reached out to other medical-related clinics. We reached out nail salons, tattoo parlors, paint companies, painters, construction workers as well as some research labs. We really went all over," said Ferrera.
She says the response has been amazing. "It's been really exciting to meet these people across different industries that we don't generally interact with. Just their willingness and their kindness has been overwhelming," said Ferrera.
Originally, the group was just collecting for Grady Hospital but they're now offering to collect medical supplies for other hospitals in the metro area who may be in need.
"I think that us medical students feel that we will do it for as long as we need to to help keep our frontline workers safe," said Ferrera.
I asked Ferrera if the Coronavirus had changed her mind about choosing to become a doctor.
"Without a doubt, it has made me realize that this is where I want to be. It's what I want to be doing. I obviously wish I could be in the hospital right now helping out. But once I get that further training to be ready to graduate, I will be very happy to be able to help serve all the nurses, doctors, PA's, pharmacists, everyone that is working so incredibly hard to try and keep everyone healthy and safe," said Ferrera.
If you would like to donate, go to atlstudentcovideresponse@gmail.com .