CBS reports that a plane belonging to NFL team New England Patriots is flying 1.2 million N95 face masks from China to Boston.
The N95 masks, which are thought to be the most protective masks in preventing the spread of Coronavirus, will be given to front-line workers.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker had struck an agreement two weeks ago to secure the masks from a “collection of Chinese manufacturers.” However, the governor had no way of getting them from China to Massachusetts.
New England Patriots Jonathan Kraft and owner Robert Kraft decided to lend their hand offered their team’s plane to do the journey.
Additionally, the Krafts paid $2 million, which went towards half of the costs of the masks. 300,000 masks will be sent to New York too.
The plane left on Wednesday and was scheduled to return onto US soil on Thursday evening.
Although the original deal was for 1.7 million masks, only 1.2 million masks could fit on the plane. The remaining masks will be sent separately.
Flight crew operating the round trip will not leave the jet during the three-hour stop and loading process so will not have to be quarantined in China.
On Twitter, Baker wrote, “No days off. Thanks to some serious teamwork, Massachusetts is set to receive over 1 million N95 masks for our front-line workers. Huge thanks to the Krafts and several dedicated partners for making this happen.”
In related news, Los Angeles Rams safety Taylor Rapp is doing his part to combat Coronavirus racism.
No days off. Thanks to some serious teamwork, Massachusetts is set to receive over 1 million N95 masks for our front-line workers. Huge thanks to the Krafts and several dedicated partners for making this happen. pic.twitter.com/ieV6XMC5Ow
— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) April 2, 2020
