# New rules for blood donations **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [April 5, 2020, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rules-for-blood-donations/851147 "2020-04-05T20:27:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2020, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rules-for-blood-donations/851147/1 "2020-04-05T20:27:31Z")
There was already a thread on blood donations but I think this merits its own thread. Some major changes to who is eligible to donate blood are now in effect. For the first time in decades I am now eligible to donate along with everyone who served in Europe with the military in the 80s. I guess my Mad Cow is all better now. More info here: > **[FDA changes blood donation guidelines amid urgent need for blood during...](https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/02/health/coronavirus-blood-donation-guidelines/index.html)** > > The US Food and Drug Administration issued new blood donation eligibility guidance Thursday as US blood supplies decrease amid the coronavirus pandemic. The changes are to be implemented immediately and are expected to remain in place after the... ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2020, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rules-for-blood-donations/851147/2 "2020-04-05T21:44:16Z")
> [@](#): > > I guess my Mad Cow is all better now. And teh gay, apparently. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rules-for-blood-donations/851147/3 "2020-04-06T01:39:26Z")
> [@susan](#): > > And teh gay, apparently. I haven’t caught that but the night is young. I will have to check out where they are taking blood locally. Since the hospitals around here are discouraging non-emergency visits walking through the front door probably isn’t the way to go. When I’m done with my current tour I am planning to go. I don’t have the most desirable blood type but every bit helps. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rules-for-blood-donations/851147/4 "2020-04-06T02:07:41Z")
Thanks for donating. I’m no longer able to, which frustrates me. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rules-for-blood-donations/851147/5 "2020-04-06T02:25:47Z")
(never mind: deleted.) ---
**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:** [April 6, 2020, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rules-for-blood-donations/851147/6 "2020-04-06T05:07:11Z")
Sometimes it takes a crisis to reevaluate our prejudices. Silver lining. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rules-for-blood-donations/851147/7 "2020-04-06T13:29:10Z")
We gave on the 21st. We had our temperatures taken in the lobby and were asked about symptoms before we were admitted to the actual office area. None of the staff were wearing any PPE other than gloves. I sat at the cookie table with other donors. This was before a single case was reported in our county. I imagine things have changed a bit since then. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rules-for-blood-donations/851147/8 "2020-04-06T20:34:54Z")
Thanks for posting, Loach. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rules-for-blood-donations/851147/9 "2020-04-06T21:22:19Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > We gave on the 21st. We had our temperatures taken in the lobby and were asked about symptoms before we were admitted to the actual office area. None of the staff were wearing any PPE other than gloves. I sat at the cookie table with other donors. This was before a single case was reported in our county. I imagine things have changed a bit since then. We have over 3,000 confirmed in my county. I suspect things are different. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2020, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rules-for-blood-donations/851147/10 "2020-05-09T13:58:21Z")
Our local blood bank will be implementing these guidelines on May 15. [Huzzah!](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-provides-updated-guidance-address-urgent-need-blood-during-pandemic)