Karen Allen sent a message to Inge Thulin that said:
Dear Sir:
My name is Karen Allen, I live in Richmond, Va. and have been a OR Nurse for over 30 years. I am currently the OR Supervisor for Bon Secours Mercy Health. In the Core of my OR I have 3M N95 mask that I have used for many years with patients with TB, doing Bronchoscopy and now the Coronavirus. I know I don't have to tell you the horror and panic that is here in the United States and I know 3M is working extra hours and staff to keep us here safe. Thank you for that. In the last two weeks, I have had 2 boxes stolen and now they are locked up in a cage. The reason for my email is last night when I was getting ready for bed from a long and stressful day at the hospital, a thought came to me, that why are we so short on N95 mask and why do we depend on China for so much of our Medical Supplies? Why can we not make them here? I would like to offer my time and experience as a nurse and also my husband of over 35 years of marriage and an excellent business man, to team up with 3M to make ONLY N95 masks here in Richmond, Va. I can find a building, my husband will take care of that and also employees to work in the plant and we can make these masks. I don't know what all needs to be done, but I know you do. You can get the grant from the government to purchase the equipment. I know President Trump will give us whatever we need. We can split earnings from the sale of the masks, we probably could make them for the military also. I realize you are in the money making business to and this way, we can do both, make money and keep the nation safe. I am open, but even greater than that, we need a change in our country, We must make our own medical supplies. We should never again depend on another nation for our safety. I believe you understand what I am trying to share with you. There is a Truth in all of this and that is, that this is just the beginning, there will be many more new Virus and many more new diseases that will come upon our home, and we the people of this great nation must be prepared and we must take care of our own people. I feel so strong about this, I went on the government site today for grants and I was so overwhelmed, I did not know where to begin, but I know you are wise and good. Please give this thought and respond back to me. My husband is retired, but I work everyday, I have loved taking care of all the surgery patients in my OR career, all the nights I have been called in for emergencies, I have always felt like there was something more that I could do. I eagerly wait your mail, I know how very busy you are. Thank you so much for your time.
Kindly and Sincerely,
Karen Allen
