East Brunswick Donates Surplus PPE To India

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — With India currently experiencing a devastating COVID-19 surge, the township of East Brunswick has come forward to lend a helping hand.

The Town Council recently passed a resolution to donate surplus Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the New Jersey State American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin.

The township had received several donations of PPE at the start of the pandemic last year.

Mayor Brad Cohen said the township was "very fortunate throughout the pandemic", as many organizations "came through in our time of need and donated PPE."

The township's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) also obtained PPE when it was "hardest to secure."

Apart from that, the funds provided through the CARES Act allowed the township to purchase more PPE as part of their COVID response, said Cohen.

COVID-19 cases are also dropping in East Brunswick and across the country due to vaccines.

"Left with an oversupply, it's hard to turn our eyes from the devastation in India," Cohen said.

"With that, the township has acted to donate our excess PPE stock to the New Jersey State American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin. They are organized to get these supplies to parts of India in the greatest need."

On Wednesday, India posted a record number of COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total to 254,197. The overall positive cases have surpassed 23 million.

India’s healthcare system has collapsed under the current surge, with the country seeing shortages of hospital beds, oxygen, and medicines.

Many countries, including the United States, have airlifted emergency supplies to help people fight the pandemic.

"This is our chance to pay it forward," said Cohen.

Here’s the resolution passed by East Brunswick Town Council:

Whereas, the Township of East Brunswick (the “Township”) received certain donated Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”) during the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic; and

Whereas, the Township is no longer in need of the donated PPE and wishes to donate same to the New Jersey State American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin; and

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Township Council of The Township of East Brunswick, County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey, that the Township Council formally declares the Personal Protective Equipment a surplus and authorizes the Township to donate said PPE, further described in Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof, to the New Jersey State American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin.

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