Two SF friends create Mask Match to help nationwide PPE shortage

Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, healthcare workers are facing the reality of a nationwide face-mask shortage that puts them at greater risk for getting the coronavirus while they treat sick people.

To address this problem, two female entrepreneurs from San Francisco, Chloe Alpert and Liz Klinger, decided to take action. They created Mask Match, a peer-to-peer platform that enables people with spare masks to send them directly to the healthcare workers in dire need of them.

Liz got the idea for Mask Match because her mom is a longtime Bay Area nurse, and she wanted to do something to help protect her (and other frontline workers) from getting coronavirus amidst the PPE shortage.

While factories domestically and overseas are rushing to produce more, that takes valuable time health care workers don’t have. Instead of manufacturing new masks, the founders’ mission is to tap into the masks we already in our closets, garages, basements, and workshops.

To date, they have delivered more than 300,000 masks to health care workers around the country!

Here’s how it works: If a person has face-masks, they can enter their contact information and details about their supply. Hospitals and healthcare workers in need of masks can also use the site to make requests. Klinger and Alpert verify the requests and reach out to donors with a hospital address where they can send their masks using USPS Click-N-Ship to schedule a pickup.

As coronavirus cases continue to surge in the US, production isn't able to keep up with the demand for masks in healthcare settings, making these donations more important than ever. To learn more, visit www.mask-match.com.