Wisconsin accepts PPE donation from China

Metro Wire Staff

Gov. Tony Evers last week announced Wisconsin received a donation of 10,000 procedural masks and 1,000 medical outfits from its sister state of Heilongjiang Province to help grow its supply of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The shipment from Heilongjiang is the latest in a series of PPE donations Wisconsin has received to support its COVID-19 response, according to a news release from Evers’ office. Wisconsin Dental Association, WEC Energy Group, Kohler, Snap-On Tools, Northern States Power Co., ND Paper, the Wisconsin Humane Society, and Foxconn have all donated masks, gloves, face shields, and gowns.

“This donation shows teamwork at its finest,” Gov. Evers said. “Our sister state of Heilongjiang, along with several state agencies and Wisconsin higher education and nonprofit institutions, all worked together to bring these supplies here and support our frontline COVID-19 responders in a time of need. I want to thank our friends in Heilongjiang for their support and generosity.”

The sister-state relationship with Heilongjiang Province, located in northeast China, has existed since 1982, a collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, the University of Wisconsin System and the U.S. Consulate in Shenyang.

The donation was arranged after an inquiry by Carolyn Brady, International Partnership and Outreach Programs Coordinator for UW-River Falls, reached out to the Foreign Affairs Office in Harbin to see if Heilongjiang had any masks available.

Companies, educational facilities, and other organizations are encouraged to continue donating to the state’s supply of PPEs. More information can be found at https://covid19supplies.wi.gov/Donations.