CORONA, NY (March 23, 2020) — On Monday, Council Member Francisco Moya and Queensboro FC founding partner Jonathan Krane donated 1,000 surgical masks to NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst as the hospital faced significant shortages of protective equipment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Healthcare professionals are on the front line of this crisis and we need to make sure they’re able to suit up for that fight,” said Council Member Moya, who also previously worked at Elmhurst Hospital as the director of business development. “Doctors, nurses and hospital staff are the heroes of this moment. We need to make every effort, big and small, to get them the armor they need to stay in the fight.”

“We will do everything in our power to support Queens during this crisis and every day after,” said Krane, Queensboro FC founding partner and CEO of KraneShares, a New York-based asset management firm. “Thank you to the front line heroes. All of us at Queensboro FC and across the city are deeply grateful for your work and sacrifices.”

Last week, the Elmhurst Hospital CEO Israel Rocha reached out to Council Member Moya to request help with the facility’s shortage of personal protective equipment. The Council Member then teamed up with Krane who managed to use his business contacts in China to secure the critical facemasks.

“On behalf of our patients and healthcare providers, I want to thank Mr. Krane and Council Member Francisco Moya for their generous and much-needed donation of medical masks to help us cope with supply challenges during this unprecedented pandemic,” said Israel Rocha, Vice President of NYC Health + Hospitals and CEO of Elmhurst and Queens Hospitals. “The outpouring of support we have received from community members and our elected officials has been truly inspiring and has warmed our hearts during an extremely difficult time.”

As of Sunday morning, Queens had 2,715 positive cases, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio. For perspective, that number represents nearly 10 percent of all positive cases in the United States at that time.

Hospitals across the country are facing a national shortage of personal protective equipment such as medical gloves, gowns and masks. The shortage is so dire that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that health care providers use homemade masks like bandannas or scarves “as a last resort.” In addition to the supply shortage, Governor Andrew Cuomo also noted that the cost of masks has also skyrocketed. Masks that previously cost $0.85 now cost as much as $7.00, he said.

Council Member Moya and Krane are working to secure additional shipments of masks from China for donations at area hospitals.

About Francisco Moya

Council Member Francisco Moya represents the New York City Council’s 21st District, which encompasses Corona, East Elmhurst, LeFrak City and parts of Jackson Heights. He chairs the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises and sits on seven other committees: Civil Service and Labor; Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations; Finance; Immigration; Land Use; Parks and Recreation; and Hospitals. Council Member Moya also serves as the vice co-chair of the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus (BLAC). For more information, please visit council.nyc.gov/francisco-moya.