It beats using trash bags.
Facing a shortage of medical gowns at local hospitals, city officials said Tuesday that have recruited more than 20 private businesses and other entities to help.
The New York Giants, Macy’s and New York University are among those who’ve donated 142,000 ponchos normally used at outdoor sporting events to the city so they can used as makeshift safety gear by doctors and other healthcare staff combating the coronavirus pandemic.
And another 140,000 are on their way.
“We are facing unprecedented supply chain issues on a global level and doing everything we can to ensure the protection of our workers on the frontlines,” said Freddi Goldstein, a spokeswoman for Mayor Bill de Blasio.
“That includes looking for alternatives in a time of crisis. We don’t let up until we have what we need to keep our health care workers safe.”
The Wall Street Journal reported that some hospitals have reached out directly for help, including to the New York Yankees, which has donated thousands of ponchos.
Meanwhile, Walt Disney Company has given 150,000 ponchos to hospitals across America.
Goldstein said the city is also in talks to secure more ponchos from the New York Mets and Walt Disney. Harold Kaufman, a spokesman for the Mets, said the club’s “focus remains” feeding front-line staff at local hospitals.
The push for ponchos comes weeks after The Post reported that staff at Manhattan’s Mount Sinai West hospital were so desperate for medical gear that they fashioned black plastic trash bags into makeshift protective garb.
