# Coronavirus Having a Negative Impact on Blood Donations **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 12, 2020, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366 "2020-03-12T21:19:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/22 "2020-03-17T21:00:52Z")
Those are the FDA rules. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/23 "2020-03-17T21:50:05Z")
I was in Costa Rica, and that caused a six month deferment, even though I was vaccinated for typhoid. I guess there are lots of things you could get in Costa Rica, but they should have shown symptoms after six months, or you’re good. I totally forgot about donating, and this thread reminded me. I am a serious donor: this is what I did on my 17th birthday, and I got as many friends over 17 to go with me as possible, and a few family too. They made kind of a fuss over me, when they realized I came on my first day of eligibility. I’ve never forgotten it. Eventually, I got a gallon pin. At one point, I came up anemic, but I finally got it corrected with iron supplements (TMI ALERT: it probably had to do with my very mild IBS), so I had a little gap in donations then, but I’m OK now. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/24 "2020-03-17T21:52:10Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I was stationed in Europe in the 80s. I got the Mad Cow. I guess everybody from Europe in the 80s is screwed. Not everyone. I was in Europe in 85, including briefly in the UK (2 weeks), but I’m not deferred. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/25 "2020-03-18T01:42:34Z")
It depends how long you were there. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/26 "2020-03-18T03:14:23Z")
The Bloodmobile is coming to my work on Thursday and I am keeping my appointment. I just got an email to let me know that it’s more critical now than ever. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/27 "2020-03-18T03:20:01Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Donating blood itself is safe; everything that is used on the donor is sterile. > > One is not typically that close to too many people in a traveling donor site, like what you’d attend at a religious institution, firehouse, school or work/office. I’m guessing they’re spreading out even more now. That being said, the whole point of distancing is to keep yourself away from other people to prevent any possible spread & attending has some elevated risk vs. staying in your house though less than being in a mosh pit. > I was supposed to donate next week. I will not be donating there as we are on total lockdown in this county for at least two weeks; all schools, religious institutions, entertainment facilities, gyms, restaurants (take-out or delivery only, no dining in), malls & other non-essential retail are supposed to be closed. I would consider driving to a place where you’re going to do blood donation to be essential travel. I’d consider it myself, but many years ago, I blacked out mid-donation and they told me not to do it again. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/28 "2020-03-18T16:41:58Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I’d consider it myself, but many years ago, I blacked out mid-donation and they told me not to do it again. ☹ Did your doctor tell you? Passing out is not unheard of. If you tell the donor staff what happened they can take extra precautions. It is important that you eat a good meal BEFORE you donate. I’ve had high school students think a piece of toast is a good breakfast. :rolleyes: If you feel comfortable, please try again. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/29 "2020-03-18T17:24:07Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Sorry I’m banned for life. Ditto. ---
**Author:** ![Esprise\_Me](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprise_me/32/2947_2.png) [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2020, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/30 "2020-03-20T20:53:19Z")
I blacked out once trying to donate in high school. I was too scared to try again for over 15 years. Then someone told me that the people running the blood drives in high school gyms aren’t always the most skilled, and that I should consider trying a brick-and-mortar center with a good reputation, and tell them about my experience when asking for their best person. I did all that, and since then I’ve successfully donated almost a gallon of blood with no issues whatsoever. Anyone who wants to donate but is afraid should think about giving it another shot. I called my usual place (UCLA) on Monday and got a same-day appointment to donate. But then my husband, who had just returned from Mexico, started feeling ill, and I canceled out of an abundance of caution. But his mild symptoms quickly subsided, and after a telephonic appointment with the doctor indicated he was probably fine (and after 4 days passed without me developing any symptoms), I called again today. They’ve had a tremendous response in the last few days; now the earliest appointment they could offer was Monday, March 30! Part of that is due to limited staff and social distancing protocols, of course, but part of it is that people are coming together and showing up where we need them. It gives me hope. (And yes, I still made an appointment for myself!) ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2020, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/31 "2020-03-20T22:52:03Z")
Glad to see you back! We do high school drives all the time and our staff is highly trained. Things and protocols have changed in 15 years. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/32 "2020-03-21T11:51:56Z")
Because my state (Pennsylvania) is one of eleven states where tattoo shops are not state regulated, I’m not eligible to give for twelve months after getting inked, so I haven’t given in a long time. ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/33 "2020-03-21T15:19:12Z")
I just signed up for an appointment at my local blood center. I’m just happy to have a great excuse to get out of the house. ---
**Author:** ![Jay\_Z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Jay\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay_Z)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/34 "2020-03-21T17:19:16Z")
Also banned for life many years ago. Sad as I liked to give. False positive on something it would have been impossible for me to get IRL. ---
**Author:** ![Esprise\_Me](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprise_me/32/2947_2.png) [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/35 "2020-03-21T17:54:23Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Glad to see you back! We do high school drives all the time and our staff is highly trained. Things and protocols have changed in 15 years. That’s interesting. What’s changed in 15 years? I know that for blood tests the needles have gotten smaller, but the needles they use to collect blood are still pretty big. I mostly look away. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/36 "2020-03-21T20:32:46Z")
Lots of things. Diabetics can donate. There’s no more finger stick to check your iron. It’s a cute little thing that fits over your thumb like a blood pressure cuff and squeezes. You get a thumb massage! If you got your tattoo/body piercing from a licensed artist and it’s healed, you don’t have to wait a year. The needle has to be a 16 gauge for two reasons. One, it keeps from damaging the red blood cells and two, we have to collect the whole blood within 20 minutes per the FDA regs. Anything smaller would mean a slower flow. I don’t watch either. But a little pinch and it’s done. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/37 "2020-03-21T21:23:23Z")
We still have the finger stick in my area and you have to wait six months after getting inked. Rules are different everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Esprise\_Me](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprise_me/32/2947_2.png) [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/38 "2020-03-21T22:46:25Z")
UCLA, where I donate, still does the finger stick too. It’s not really a problem. I didn’t faint from that in high school; I made it to the blood draw itself. I’m OK with needles generally, but I’ve definitely noticed a wide variation of experiences I can have that seem to correspond with the skill of the person poking me. For years I was on Accutane and had to get monthly blood tests. There was one woman I started asking for by name because she could put the needle in almost without me even feeling it. When she wasn’t working and I got someone else from the same lab, it could be quite painful. Once I got dizzy and had to lie down for several minutes. When I tell the nice folks at UCLA that I’m a hard stick, they often grab someone else to help me, rather than just the next person available. So I have to think they believe that skill matters too. The fact that they go to that trouble to ensure I always have a good experience is what keeps me coming back. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/39 "2020-03-21T23:25:34Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > We still have the finger stick in my area and you have to wait six months after getting inked. Rules are different everywhere. If your state licenses tattoo artists you don’t have to wait. All blood banks in the US follow FDA guidelines. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/40 "2020-03-21T23:29:53Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > If your state licenses tattoo artists you don’t have to wait. All blood banks in the US follow FDA guidelines. And may have additional guidelines. I can tell you for certain that I had a finger stick on Thursday. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366/41 "2020-03-22T01:24:28Z")
I want to donate blood Monday. I do see a Red Cross Donation Center relatively near me. Can I just show up during business hours and give? I have a donor ID already, but I can’t get my online account to login no matter what I try. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366.md?page=3)