New England Patriots’ Team Plane Bringing More Than A Million N95 Masks From China
Patriots owner Robert Kraft offered up his NFL team’s plane to make the much needed run for N95 masks
When it comes to the severe shortage of N95 masks, the New England Patriots are stepping up as champions.
The Wall Street Journal reports The NFL team’s plane has flown to Shenzhen, China where it was loaded with 1.2 million N95 masks.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has been complaining for weeks about the shortage of personal protective gear for his state’s healthcare workers.
No days off. Thanks to some serious teamwork, Massachusetts is set to receive over 1 million N95 masks for our front-line workers. Huge thanks to the Krafts and several dedicated partners for making this happen. pic.twitter.com/ieV6XMC5Ow
— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) April 2, 2020
It’s a similar cry you hear from other governors across the US who are frustrated by lack of supplies from the federal government’s stockpile.
These masks are crucial “personal protective equipment” (PPE) necessary for medical workers to safely fight COVID-19.
This has left individual states to try to source gear across the world.
Kraft Family Steps Up
Team president Jonathan Kraft offered up the team’s plane. The Wall Street Journal also reports the Krafts have paid $2 million, about half the costs to make this mission happen.
The Patriots’ plane had to be upgraded for international travel and a waiver to avoid a 14-day quarantine in China was granted if the crew did not leave the aircraft, according to WSJ.com.
N36NE #newenglandpatriots @Boeing 767-300 transporting medical products from #Shenzhen to #Anchorage @adndotcom #AvGeeks #boeing767 #boeing pic.twitter.com/2r0tdxKvLh
— Jay Lee (@jaylpod) April 1, 2020
It only stayed on the ground for three hours before turning around and heading back to the US.
The plane is due to arrive in Boston on Thursday afternoon. Politico reports the state’s National Guard will transport the equipment to a strategic stockpile in Marlboro, Massachusetts.
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