Emergency blood supply in Sonoma limited by coronavirus

More than 5,000 blood drives have been canceled in the U.S. since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. With college students reliable and often-tapped donors, but many university campuses shuttered to slow spread of the pandemic, donations have fallen off dramatically in recent weeks, with 170,000 fewer units of blood collected than expected.

Hospitals are reporting dwindling supplies, with as little as one day of blood stored in some cases. Industry professionals warn that shortages could create a secondary public health crisis for healthcare systems already reeling from a creeping pandemic, and blood banks are now sounding the alarm.

“Right now, the American Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drives canceled during this coronavirus outbreak,” the organization said in a March 19 press release urging healthy persons to donate blood, platelets and plasma. “This blood shortage could impact patients who need surgery, victims of car accidents and other emergencies, or patients fighting cancer.”

On Saturday, a “Bloodmobile” bus was parked at the Sonoma Community Center, with a steady flow of people outside awaiting their turn. They stood in line appropriately distanced from one another, some conversing amiably together, others tucked into the reading material they’d brought along for the wait.

It was slow going.

“Technicians were being very careful - restricting donors to two at a time on a bus that in normal conditions would handle six donating and four recovering for the required 15 minutes,” said Stuart Saunders, 62, who agreed to donate at the behest of his wife, who gives blood “whenever she can.”

Saunders himself hadn’t donated in years, but immediately agreed when his wife asked him to consider it. “I had an idea that the pandemic would put a strain on blood supplies,” Saunders told the Index-Tribune.

Blood donation is mostly painless and generally quick, with donors normally in and out in about 30 minutes. But on this day, wait times stretched to an hour or more, as staff executed spacing and decontamination protocols to contend with COVID-19. “They assured us that everything people came in contact with was disinfected before every donor came through. We were in physical contact with two technicians in the process. They used gloves and alcohol swabs following a 15-second wipe-down protocol,” Saunders said.

What they did not use, however, were medical masks. None of the bloodmobile staff had nose or mouth covered.

They did have a set of ramped-up safety guidelines, including temperature checks, use of hand sanitizer, bed spacing and single-use blankets. All of the people awaiting their turn reported feeling comfortable with the risk.

“I’m sort of a fatalist, anyway,” said Bobbi Cohen, who decided to donate after spotting the Bloodmobile while out for a walk. “I’ve lived through earthquakes, the loss of my husband and the loss of my parents. I lived through the fires. I’m waiting for the locusts!”

Cohen was pragmatic about the anxiety that can overcome the human psyche when facing the challenge of a natural disaster. “You can go down that rabbit hole and never come up. We’re lucky in a bizarre way because we lived through the fires,” she said, suggesting that Valley residents have already learned how to shoulder uncertainty. “I hope this thing brings out the best in us.”

A woman who claimed to have had a 2:30 p.m. appointment showed up at 3:30 p.m. and cut to the head of the line. Cohen challenged her gently, arguing that she and others had been waiting more than an hour for their respective turns, but the woman persisted and Cohen let it drop.

“We’re all the most important thing,” she said with a shrug.

Regina Webb, longtime office manager at Prestwood Elementary, watched the mild fracas with the amused detachment of a woman who has seen her share of petty conflicts. More interested in big picture solutions than minor differences of opinion, Webb said that giving blood is a regular part of her civic contributions. “I give as often as I can because I’m O Negative, the universal blood type,” Webb said.

At Sonoma Valley Hospital, blood supply is currently stable, in part because the hospital has canceled all elective surgeries.“Sonoma Valley Hospital has an adequate supply of blood and we are in a position that poses no danger to patients. We have postponed our elective surgeries which ensures our supply to remain adequate,” said pubic information officer Celia Kruse de la Rosa.

But COVID-19 is complicating collection efforts, with only two of five scheduled collection drives able to go forward last week, according to a technician working the Sonoma location. Community spirit will be needed in the weeks ahead to shore up and maintain local supply. “Those wishing to donate are encouraged to contact Vitalant (formerly Blood Centers of the Pacific) at vitalant.org or by calling (877) 258-4825,” said Kruse de la Rosa.

Saunders hopes the public will rise to the challenge, as the vagaries of fate are by definition unknowable. “We really need blood supplies to remain high. Never know when the next earthquake could hit, or the next major wildfire will sweep through the country,” he said. “Healthy blood supplies are part of being prepared for the worst.”

Contact Kate at kate.williams@sonomanews.com.