Blood drive this week; not affected by county’s purple tier status

Vitalant blood services wants to assure donors that the community blood drive on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 1-2, will be held as planned, even though Plumas County is now in the state’s purple tier.

Blood drives have been designated by FEMA as “essential and integral components of the emergency support function.” In short, they are not “gatherings.” Blood donation operations are key to public health and safety, and as such they are exempted from the state’s stay-at-home mandate.

In March, FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor stated, “Donating blood is a safe process, and people should not hesitate to give. Blood drives have the highest standards of safety and infection control.”

Donors scheduled to give blood this week can rest assured that COVID protocols will be in place. Masks are required; social distancing will be maintained; and surfaces will be frequently sanitized by the Vitalant staff.

There are still several appointment slots available, especially for Wednesday’s drive, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., says local drive coordinator Susan Christensen.

“We make every effort to accommodate donor schedules,” she says, “because we appreciate donors taking their personal time to give back to their community in this way.” Donors can call Christensen at 283-2424 to make an appointment.

Patti’s Thunder Café is the drive’s sponsor.