A small company in the UK was recently contacted by the National Health Service (NHS) to see if they could donate scrubs due to a nationwide shortage during this coronavirus outbreak.
MedFetUK normally only sells their doctor scrubs as costumes to couples who like to role play, but the virus has called for desperate measures to ensure health care professionals have the equipment and protective gear they need.
MedFet turned to their Twitter account to announce the news:
“We have been contacted this week by representatives of NHS procurement all over the country, trying to source basic protective equipment and clothing.”
https://twitter.com/MedFet_UK/status/1243590308878848002?s=20
Medical staff around the world have been the most affected by the COVID-19 infection. Working around the clock to save people’s lives, all the while putting themselves in harm’s way. It’s very important for healthcare professionals to not re-use protective coverage whenever possible.
MedFet was quite critical of the government’s NHS funding on Twitter after the donation:
When we, a tiny company set up to serve a small section of the kink community, find ourselves being sought out as a last-resort supplier to our National Health Service in a time of crisis, something is seriously wrong. In fact, it's scandalous. [3/5]
— MedFetUK (@MedFet_UK) March 27, 2020
The Guardian recently revealed that the former health secretary Jeremy Hunt and the Department of Health rejected “high-level medical advice” that would have provided the NHS with extra protective equipment during the influenza pandemic, saying it would be too expensive.
Had they listened, the NHS may not find themselves in this big a shortage now. The Guardian also reported the shortages are so great that some “doctors are threatening to quit the profession unless they are properly equipped.”
Robert Jenrick the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government recently said:
We simply cannot and should not ask people to be on the frontline without the right protective equipment. We have a clear plan to ensure that those serving this country at this time have the right equipment.
As for MedFet, they posted one final tweet after the donation that read:
So when it's all over…and the doctors, nurses and other staff have done an amazing job (as they undoubtedly will despite the circumstances)…let's not forget, or forgive, the ones who sent the NHS into this battle with inadequate armour and one hand tied behind its back. [End]
— MedFetUK (@MedFet_UK) March 27, 2020
