Chinese-American community steps up to help medical workers amid COVID-19 outbreak

Chinese American organization donates masks to medical workers

The group gathered over 100,000 masks to donate to local hospitals, as well as police and fire departments.

PHOENIX - As the COVID-19 outbreak continues, some local hospitals are getting a big boost, in the form of a donation of thousands of masks.

The 10,000 surgical masks were unloaded at Valleywise Health Medical Center in Phoenix. The Chinese-American community in Arizona stepped up for the effort, making it possible for medical professionals to have the tools they need to fight the coronavirus.

"We are a part of a society. We want to contribute," said Sam Wang with Chinese American COVID-19 Relief AZ.

As a community, they collected $50,000, and Chinese restaurants also stepped in. With all of the donations, they were able to buy a total of 160,000 masks. It's not an easy task, given the shortage and trying to find proper medical grade equipment.

Members of the organization did all this while saying they themselves have been worried about the implications this pandemic has brought their community.

"We worry. There are a lot of reports of racist discrimination, so we are worried, but we want to put that aside and help," said Wang.

According to a report by the Associated Press, since COVID-19 infections started appearing in the United States in January, Asian Americans have shared stories of minor aggression to blatant attacks from people blaming them for the pandemic.

Meanwhile, doctors at Valleywise Health say the donations will go a long way. The masks are also being delivered to other hospitals, as well as police and fire departments.

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) - How it spreads, symptoms, prevention, treatment, FAQ

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Arizona COVID-19 Response - Public resources, FAQ, webinars

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