Doctors Need Your Ski Goggles to Combat COVID-19

Doctors from around the United States are calling on skiers and snowboarders to donate ski goggles to hospitals that need them as a result of the recent widespread outbreak of the COVID-19 virus (also known as the “novel coronavirus”)

Doctors around the nation can use your old ski goggles at the hospital to protect essential staff from COVID-19. (Photo courtesy GogglesforDocs.com)
Doctors around the nation can use your old ski goggles at the hospital to protect essential staff from COVID-19. (Photo courtesy GogglesforDocs.com)

According to the website Goggles For Docs, medical workers who are fighting the communicable disease at hospitals around North America expect the virus to spike in the coming days and weeks. Ski goggles can protect essential personnel from being infected by the virus.

To streamline the process, GogglesForDocs.com is requesting that donors send their goggles directly to the hospitals in need. The website has an active list of hospitals in need. As of April 9, 2020, more than 22,500 goggles had been donated to needy medical professionals. At the time, the website reported that it still needed more than 850 goggles to fulfill its needs.

The state of California, hard hit by the virus, needed more than 250 pairs of goggles at that time. Other states in need included Arizona, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Washington – all states with ski resorts. Puerto Rico needs goggles as well. As of April 9, the Caribbean island needed more than 125 goggles.

Is It Legit?

Yes – it’s a real effort and not a hoax. The website has been verified and featured by Ski.com and is endorsed by doctors. The original request came from a New York City ER physician. Here at Skier Deals we feel compelled to help get the word out!

How It Works

If you have a functional ski goggles that you’d like to donate, there are a couple of ways to help. First, you can drop off your goggles at a local hospital, but Goggles for Docs is asking that you send your goggles to the neediest hospitals. You can find a list of hospitals listed by state on GogglesForDocs.com.

Once you select a state, you’ll be taken to a Google sheet that’s constantly updated with hospitals that have requested assistance. The sheet shows the current demand for ski goggles, so pick a hospital that hasn’t reached 100%.

Then, simply add your contact info and the number of goggles you’re donating. (Make sure you enter your quantity accurately, so it doesn’t mess up the sheet. We’re all in this together so accuracy is key!) The sheet saves automatically.

What Types of Goggles?

GogglesforDocs.com accepts new or used goggles. Goggles can be tinted or clear. Physicians need protection, so a dark lens is better than no lens.

Shipping Your Goggles

Once you enter your donation on the Google sheet, try to get your goggles in the mail as soon as possible. GogglesForDocs.com has a video that you can watch that explains the preparation process in full detail. Just keep in mind that you’ll want to ship your goggles preferably overnight, so they get there fast.

Here are some notes about packing your goggles for docs:

  • Clean your goggles thoroughly and wipe them down so they are dry.
  • Place goggles in a sealed Ziploc bag.
  • Practice social distancing when traveling to drop off location.
  • Drop goggles into receptable without touching it.
  • Wash your hands. Don’t touch your face.
  • Collectors are trained to wear gloves and be sanitary when picking up your goggles. Goggles will be disinfected by trained staff.
Send your ski goggles to a needy medical facility. They're useful! (Photo courtesy GogglesforDocs.com.)
Send your ski goggles to a needy medical facility. They’re useful! (Photo courtesy GogglesforDocs.com.)

Is It Better to Ship or Drop Off?

Shipping is better. If you choose to drop off your goggles, you may think that’s the most effective, but keep in mind that you’ll be pulling essential staff away from more pressing matters to deal with you at the hospital. Also, your presence at the hospital will only congest traffic and add more unnecessary people to an already busy medical facility. And, you always run the risk of catching an illness if the hospital is exceeding capacity.

You can ship your goggles through any major carrier – the post office, FedEx, UPS, etc. The easiest way to ship is to purchase shipping online, then print, label and pack your goggles at home.

What Else Can You Do?

Share this post across your social media. Medical professionals are expecting COVID-19 to peak in the coming days and weeks, so they’re calling on the public to spread the word. Share the GogglesForDocs.com and the Google sheet to get the word out. The website will always have the updated numbers and list of hospitals in need.

There is also a spot where you can sign up to be a regional volunteer to help organize the collecting and delivery of goggles in your neighborhood.

GogglesForDocs.com has also teamed up with REVERB to accept donations to combat the pandemic. You can donate directly on the website.

How Can My Hospital Request Goggles?

Goggles For Docs has information available for hospitals that want to request goggles. Medical professionals can click on a link on the site and make a request for their team.

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