Our entire shipment has cleared customs in Dallas.  We will have details regarding distribution within 48 hours.  Please continue to monitor this site and check your email.

Again, thank you for your understanding and patience.

Marcelo Hochman MD
President
843.819.4666 mobile

We have confirmed that another flight has arrived in the U.S. with PPE.  We are planning to distribute the supplies next Saturday, May 16, 2020.  More details when the truck departs Dallas.  Please continue to check this site for more details.

Again, thank you for your understanding and patience.

Marcelo Hochman MD
President
843.819.4666 mobile

Good News: We received a shipment that has cleared US Customs! Bad News:  it did not contain the balance of our entire order as we had hoped.  In order to maximize resources (and the goodwill of our Volunteers) we have decided to wait for the flight expected this week.  The plan is to distribute the combined shipments the weekend of May 15^th – we will keep you posted.  This should cover 95% of the orders to date!  Check this site and your email daily.

I’d like to address some questions we’ve received about the masks and shields.

REGARDING MASKS – why KN95s instead of N95s? Are they as safe?  How do we know they are adequate?  And others in the same vein.

The best answers are here  Comparison_FFP2_KN95_N95_Filtering_Facepiece_Respirator_Classes and here MOKE KN95 Spec Sheet20200428.2  and the certificates on the order form https://www.dropbox.com/home/CCMS%20Info%20for%20Charleston%20County%20Community/PPE%20Project%20by%20CCMS

Regarding the ‘switch’ to KN95s – we announced that early on and it has turned out to be a good thing.  There are 25,000 (!) new factories in China producing PPE now – not all legit of course.  If you notice most stories are about fake N95s.  The demand has created a distorted market/black market/grey market.  The lots that are more likely to be seized by FEMA are of N95s for those same reasons and because newly created import companies have tried to bring them into the US by the millions.

There is little incentive to falsify KN95’s so the prices are closer to ‘real’ which is why we all get 2x whatever number we ordered of N95s.

Regarding our Distributor in Palo Alto, CA – I have developed a lot of confidence throughout this process.   They have extensive experience in getting businesses INTO China and so are highly trusted there.  They are bonded with US Customs and have a lot to lose if dealing in forgeries, etc.  The following chart is good information as well:

REGARDING SHIELDS:  These are Made in USA and, unfortunately, most did not reach Charleston in time for the first distribution.  We are looking at various ‘last mile delivery’ options directly to our offices.  We may have to wait until the second distribution if we can’t find a suitable solution.

To the very best of our ability we have done and continue due diligence. If there are specific issues with your order, let us know. Be gentle with your concerns – remember everyone involved in Action PPE SC is a VOLUNTEER and want to do this right.

I appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience.

Marcelo Hochman MD

President

843.819.4666 mobile

WE DID IT!  OUR FIRST DISTRIBUTION OF PPE FOR SC DOCTORS IS DONE!   Doctors were greeted by amazing Volunteers and glorious weather throughout the state.  A GRATEFUL THANK YOU to South Carolina Council on Competitiveness for organizational support; Sunland Logistics for use of their warehouse, Smith Dray Line for trucks and drivers, and Blue Cross Blue Shield SC for volunteers, facilities and overall cooperation.

There will be details later today for those of you who missed picking up your boxes both by email and on this site.

Our second shipment has arrived and as it clears Customs today we will keep you posted about the next Distribution!

We acknowledge and predicted a few bumps along the road but clearly THIS ROAD HAS BEEN BUILT!

KEEP CHECKING YOUR EMAIL AND THIS SITE DAILY

CCMS is TIRELESSLY working for you.

May 1, 2020

Tomorrow (SATURDAY MAY 2nd) is our first PPE PICKUP DAY! 

The sites in Charleston, Columbia and Greenville were set up today.  Not all of the PPE we expected was in the pallets we received this morning.  A fair distribution is being allocated into each individual order by our volunteer logistics team.  Each order is being boxed individually with care by our volunteers.  There is plenty of material for everyone and all the orders will be filled as our process becomes more streamlined.  Another flight arrived in the US last night and more products headed our way next week.

Note this IMPORTANT INFORMATION and plan your day accordingly:

1. Your order will be ready for pickup at the SITE you designated when placing the order.
2. All Sites will be open from 8:30am until 1:00 pm.  We only have access to the facilities during this time window.
3. We do not have capability to store PPE that is not picked up tomorrow.  Please plan accordingly.

SITES:
Charleston: 4400 Leeds Ave; North Charleston, SC 29405
Columbia: 9710 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC 29223
Greenville: 1000 Executive Center Drive, SC 29615

4. There will be a LEAD person at each site to whom all inquiries should be directed.  Our volunteers are there to help us.  Please acknowledge them.

CCMS is working VERY hard for you.

Marcelo Hochman, MD
President
Charleston County Medical Society

April 30, 2020

Our supplies are safe in Charleston!  Tomorrow (Friday) the shipment will be separated into individual orders and routed to the Distribution Sites in Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville. Pickup of orders will occur at the Distribution Sites on SATURDAY MAY 2, 2020.  Where and When will be disclosed via email and on the PPE PROJECT STATUS PAGE tomorrow.

NOTE:

1. Everyone who has ordered prior to April 30^th will be receiving their entire order of Disposable Masks and Shields.
2. Everyone who has ordered prior to April 30^th will be receiving a portion of their KN95 masks.
3. Everyone who has ordered prior to April 30^th will be receiving the remainder of their order within the next 2 weeks.
4. Orders received on or after April 30^th will be processed on an ongoing basis.

It is important that you pick up your supplies or designate someone to do so in your name on Saturday.  We do not have the ability to store or arrange pickup at another time.

Be patient with the process.  There will be and have been bumps on this road.  Yet the road has been built.

We have pulled off an amazing project that will serve us well for a long time to come. 
 
Marcelo Hochman, MD
President
Charleston County Medical Society

April 30, 2020

Our supplies are safe in Charleston!  Tomorrow (Friday) the shipment will be separated into individual orders and routed to the Distribution Sites in Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville. Pickup of orders will occur at the Distribution Sites on SATURDAY MAY 2, 2020.  Where and When will be disclosed via email and on the PPE PROJECT STATUS PAGE tomorrow.

NOTE:

1. Everyone who has ordered prior to April 30^th will be receiving their entire order of Disposable Masks and Shields.
2. Everyone who has ordered prior to April 30^th will be receiving a portion of their KN95 masks.
3. Everyone who has ordered prior to April 30^th will be receiving the remainder of their order within the next 2 weeks.
4. Orders received on or after April 30^th will be processed on an ongoing basis.

It is important that you pick up your supplies or designate someone to do so in your name on Saturday.  We do not have the ability to store or arrange pickup at another time.

Be patient with the process.  There will be and have been bumps on this road.  Yet the road has been built.

We have pulled off an amazing project that will serve us well for a long time to come. 
 
Marcelo Hochman, MD
President
Charleston County Medical Society