CHICAGO, May 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA]
today completed another set of COVID-19 airlift missions, deploying
three Dreamlifter aircraft to transport more than 150,000
protective eye goggles and face shields from China to the United
States. Boeing worked in partnership with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) to
deliver the personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline health
care professionals in the MUSC system.
"Today's delivery puts essential personal protective equipment
in the hands of South Carolina's
frontline health care professionals and helps MUSC further support
the community during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Boeing President
and CEO Dave Calhoun. "I am
incredibly proud of our Boeing team members throughout the world
for their work to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and thankful for
our government and industry partners that have joined us in the
pandemic response."
The MUSC Health team will use the PPE as they support the
revitalization of the economy and ramp-up COVID-19 community
outreach efforts, including diagnostic testing and antibody
testing, across South Carolina.
MUSC Health, under the guidance of the South Carolina Legislature
and in partnership with South Carolina Department of Health and
Environmental Control (DHEC), has established mobile screening and
collection sites in rural and underserved areas.
The mobile setup allows health care providers to rotate sites,
reaching people experiencing barriers to health care access for
COVID-19 screening. Rural and underserved communities have
experienced disparities in access to COVID-19 screening, testing,
prevention and treatment in South
Carolina and across the U.S.
The MUSC Health team leading this effort were the first in the
U.S. to launch a combined virtual urgent care platform and
drive-through specimen collection site. They are now bringing a
version of this successful model to the communities that need it
most.
"On behalf of our entire MUSC family, I'd like to extend a
heartfelt thank you to the Boeing team for helping to make today's
critical PPE shipment possible," said MUSC President, David J. Cole, M.D., FACS. "These goggles and
face shields will allow us to continue to expand our ability to
test and monitor for COVID-19 as businesses and communities start
to move forward. Increasing access to testing in the areas of
greatest need throughout our state is an essential part of this
work. We must continue to protect our most vulnerable populations.
Boeing and MUSC have a longstanding partnership, and today's
delivery is yet another example of two great South Carolina institutions coming together in
support of our local community."
Similar to previous airlift missions flown by the Dreamlifter –
a converted Boeing 747-400 Large Cargo Freighter – the medical
cargo was transported in the lower lobe of all three aircraft,
while 787 component parts were flown in the main deck cargo hold.
Boeing donated the cost of the mission transport, with Atlas Air
operating the flights on behalf of Boeing. Boeing has scheduled
additional flights, to deliver a total of 400,000 units of PPE to
MUSC, in the near future.
Boeing continues to support local communities and the
heroic health care professionals working tirelessly to stop
the spread of COVID-19. Boeing is coordinating closely with U.S.
government officials on how to best assist areas with the greatest
need.
Leadership Support
"We are grateful for the role Boeing continues to play in
collaborating with our health care professionals to help ensure our
frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19 have the equipment
they need to stay safe while caring for our people." – South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster
"I want to thank all those who worked so hard to ensure this
shipment of critical PPE is arriving in Charleston today. Protecting our frontline
health care workers, who put their lives on the line every single
day, is absolutely essential, and this will help MUSC do exactly
that." – Sen. Tim Scott
"Our frontline health care workers have proven themselves to be
the heroes of the crisis we are facing, and the folks at MUSC are a
great example of that. I am immensely grateful for all the work
they have done to care for South Carolinians. We've seen Americans
rise to meet the immense challenges we are facing time and time
again, and companies like Boeing are no exception. Thank you for
ensuring that our frontline health care professionals have the
necessary resources to fight this virus." – Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01)
"I am grateful to the Boeing Dreamlifters for bringing PPE to
MUSC. In this time of incredible uncertainty, I am thankful to see
private and public organizations come together to help keep our
community healthy and safe. As a native Charlestonian, I know
firsthand that MUSC Health works hard to protect our families,
especially now from the coronavirus, and they will continue to help
our community recover from this pandemic. I appreciate Boeing for
supporting such an important cause." – Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02)
"It's incredible to see American companies rise to meet the
numerous challenges our nation faces in this battle against
COVID-19. I'm particularly proud of Boeing for airlifting
personal protective equipment to South
Carolina for the MUSC hospital system. MUSC Lancaster and
MUSC Chester are two critical health care facilities in
South Carolina's
5th Congressional District and I'm extremely
grateful for them, as well as companies like Boeing who
are working hard behind the scenes to support our nation's health
care efforts." – Rep. Ralph Norman
(SC-05)
"I'm grateful for the dedicated workers we have in South Carolina – from the manufacturing lines
to the front lines – and today's delivery is another example of how
South Carolinians come together. Being able to expand our testing
efforts at this level is critical in helping us tackle the COVID-19
pandemic and care for our community. Team work across industries
and organizations demonstrates the spirit of our State. Thank you
to everyone, especially MUSC and Boeing, who made today's vital
delivery possible." – South Carolina State Senator Marlon Kimpson
(District 42)
"Through the generosity and logical might of Boeing, our local
health care providers are receiving much needed equipment to keep
them safe while they care for the most vulnerable in our community.
We should all be inspired by the efforts of Boeing and their
teammates, because together, all challenges can be met." –
North Charleston Mayor
Keith Summey
Boeing Contact:
media@boeing.com
MUSC Health Contact:
Heather
Woolwine
woolwinh@musc.edu
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SOURCE Boeing