USA: 7-Eleven donates 1 million masks in response to COVID19

Hospitals are facing critical shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) that includes masks and gloves.

7‑Eleven, Inc. has donated 1 million masks to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to aid the medical community who are battling the coronavirus pandemic.

Hospitals are facing critical shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) that includes masks and gloves. The shortage has led to hospitals re-using masks and American volunteers sewing masks at home to donate to local hospitals.

“7‑Eleven is a brand that cares deeply about the people and communities in which we operate, particularly the first responders and the medical community who put their lives on the line for us every day,” said 7‑Eleven President and Chief Executive Officer Joe DePinto. “When we heard shortages of masks were becoming a serious issue in hospitals, we felt it was our responsibility to respond and help.”

7‑Eleven has provided all stores and franchisees with a supply of masks for use by franchisees and their employees as they serve customers in their stores, and has donated all remaining inventory to FEMA.

The brand is also taking steps inside and outside of stores to provide customers with what they need in a safe and clean environment. Stores will soon have sneeze guards at registers, and 7‑Eleven has enhanced its standards and procedures for hygiene, handwashing, sanitation, food handling as well as increased the frequency of cleaning high-touch surfaces.