The Newtown Lions Club in cooperation with Newtown Congregational Church will cohost a blood drive at the 14 West Street church on Tuesday, May 5, from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm.

COVID-19 protocols will be in place, and face masks must be worn; social distancing will be respected.

To make an appointment, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org to sign up and for more details.

An article at CTMirror.org noted that on Monday, April 27, Governor Ned Lamont “joined Lt Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Senator Richard Blumenthal at a blood drive at the Connecticut Police Academy. The American Red Cross has been able to meet blood needs during the pandemic, as elective surgeries were postponed and accident rates fell with much of the workforce under stay-at-home orders.

But the easing of restrictions will increase the need for blood, said Mario J. Bruno, the regional chief executive of the Red Cross in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

“We are ramping back up again, and we need each and every one of you to do your part,” Lamont said.

“If you want to help, give blood,” Blumenthal said. “If you want to help, give food.”

Bruno said the Red Cross is taking plasma donations from people who tested positive and then negative for COVID-19. The plasma is being used as an experimental treatment, and [Dr Ajay] Kumar, [chief clinical officer of Hartford HealthCare], said in a video conference that Hartford HealthCare has had promising results with a limited group.

“Most are making good progress,” he said.”