Bill Poulos is President and co-founder of Profits Run, Inc. He and his son, Greg Poulos, established the company in 2001 with the goal of helping people. In 2020, they not only help people through Profits Run’s programs, they are also diligent to help different causes throughout their communities and the world. Helping a New York hospital that is suffering because of coronavirus COVID-19 is just one more instance of the duo stepping up when they are needed.
Often called the ‘epicenter’ of the coronavirus crisis, New York City continues to be overwhelmed with the number of cases. One hospital that has struggled to keep up with incoming patients is Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center. The hospital is in Brownsville, which is one of the poorest neighborhoods in New York City. It also has some of the worst prevalence of COVID-19 of any New York City borough.
In an interview with CNN, hospital staffers wanted the public to know that the situation has been dire for healthcare workers and how that they’re short on resources. At the end of March 2020, Brookdale had more than 100 patients test positive for COVID-19 and had 78 additional patients hospitalized as they await results. In the interview, Dr. Arabia Mollette said, “We need gowns, we need gloves we need masks we need more vents (ventilators).”
Bill and Greg Poulos, the founders of financial publishing company Profits Run, took notice of the struggling hospital, and decided to take action. The Poulos’s were able to locate and donate 1000 masks to the hospital. The masks will be shipped directly to the hospital in a little over a week.
In regard to his donation, Poulos said, “It’s an honor to be able to support the hardworking healthcare workers who are on the frontlines of fighting this crisis. I hope the masks can help keep these essential workers healthy and protected as they continue to do their best to protect New York. I hope that others who are in a financial position to contribute consider making a similar contribution. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want help organizing a donation.”
KN95 masks have a similar performance to the N95 masks. The Food and Drug Administration announced that it will allow the use of a more widely available mask that meets Chinese standards instead of American ones. Although there are slight differences, the CDC approved KN95 masks as a suitable alternative when N95s are not available.
The Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) medical services provider serves most of Eastern Brooklyn. Brookdale was founded in 1910 and is one of Brooklyn’s largest voluntary nonprofit teaching hospitals and a regional tertiary care center. It provides 24-hour emergency services, numerous outpatient programs and long-term specialty care. Brookdale is one of Brooklyn’s largest full-service emergency departments and is a level II trauma center.
New York continues to be the epicenter of COVID-19 in the US, with poorer neighborhoods disproportionately affected. At the time of writing, the United States has 700,000 confirmed cases. New York City is home to nearly 130,000 cases alone. It’s more important than ever that healthcare workers have the essential protective equipment they need to stay safe in and out of the hospital.