Assemblyman Gray, others deliver goods to Merced County, to assist with COVID-19 prevention

A donation of gloves and sanitizing wipes was dropped off at the Merced County Department of Public Health in Merced, on Tuesday as elected officials work to secure donations through the Central Valley Personal Protective Equipment Initiative.

Co-sponsored by Assemblymember Adam Gray, D-Merced, the North Valley Labor Federation and other elected officials, the initiative is an effort to collect and deliver needed medical supplies to first responders and frontline health workers in coordination with Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, according to Gray’s office.

The donation from Medallion Wellness consisted of about 50 cases of gloves and five cases of sanitizing wipes according to Medallion Wellness Chief Executive Officer Michael O’Leary.

O’Leary said the donation came after speaking with an employee of a different county, who expressed concern over emergency services.

“We’re constantly looking for the items that are needed. If we get them we’re turning them over immediately to the department of emergency services,” O’Leary said.

Merced County Public Health Director Dr. Rebecca Nanyonjo-Kemp, said securing the donations and being able to work with Assemblymember Gray’s office is a big help in addressing the county’s needs.

“It speaks volumes,” said Nanyanjo-Kemp. “We all know whats taking place throughout the State of California, we know here within the San Joaquin Valley there’s always an adverse impact just associated geographically where we sit. We still have people who are on the front lines, we still have our healthcare providers who are in desperate need of the equipment, some of which has been included today.”

According to Gray, the donation is incredibly important.

“In times of crisis like this I think there’s a feeling of hopelessness out there. What can I do as individuals to help the community?” Gray said.

According to Gray, donating supplies, volunteering and making masks for others are just a few of the ways people can help the community.

“I think there’s a lot we can do and I think we need to inspire that action in our community and that’s what we’ve done with this PPE drive is give people a way to contribute, people a way to do something positive about this crisis during these very difficult times,” Gray said.

This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 12:36 PM.