Covid-19: Shout SA works to get masks to healthcare workers during pandemic
The Shout 4 Masks initiative works to eliminate the middlemen and provides masks to healthcare workers directly from factories.
Shout SA, a non-profit organisation created by musicians Danny K and Kabelo Mabalane, has created a public service initiative to get surgical and N95 masks to healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A statement released by the organisation said, “Together with SMD Technologies, Shout 4 Masks was formed to raise funds to buy masks directly from factories, overcoming the risk of profiteering middlemen in getting these vital supplies to healthcare workers and hospital patients.”
Danny K said, “There is a crying need to protect those who are protecting us – our frontline heroes. Battling valiantly against Covid-19, our healthcare sector needs our support right now as the supply of masks dwindles. It’s getting desperate. Here at Shout SA we have a voice, why not use it to shout out to our fellow countrymen to help secure more masks?”
Mabalane added, “We are also calling on all our fellow musicians and celebrities to get behind this to inspire and unite the nation to help get proper safe masks for those that need them most. For patients and our most vulnerable communities, I am relieved that we are able to spread a protective front for both.”
Through the Shout SA website, donors are able to donate a combination of both surgical and N95 masks for as little as R100. Avi Mishan, the managing director of SMD Managing said, “With the dire shortage of masks in our hospitals, doctors and nurses, as well as patients are at risk. We had to find a way to afford them quality masks with no compromise on safety and no profiteering. For the greater good of our country. This is about all of us.”
So far the initiative has raised over R600 000 and the team has already placed their first order for masks which is expected to arrive early next week and will be dispatched immediately to the first recipients.
There are also special tiers, which enable corporate South Africa to join the initiative, scaling up the supply of masks for healthcare workers at the frontline. The R25 000 silver package, R100 000 gold package and R250 000 platinum package tiers will see the delivery of thousands of masks to healthcare locations that need them. Special commemorative plaques and certificates of recognition will be issued to honour these invaluable contributions.
To donate you can either visit the Shout4masks website or visit the BackaBuddy donations page.
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