RIVERVIEW, Fla. — As concerns about the coronavirus have led to a massive shortage of blood donations in the U.S., a state representative did his part Tuesday to turn the situation around by hosting a blood drive outside his Riverview office.

According to the New York Times, as of last week more than 4,500 of the Red Cross’ blood drives have been canceled, resulting in nearly 150,000 fewer donations.

Similar dire numbers have been posted by OneBlood, another blood donation group.

That’s what led Rep. Adam Hattersley to organize a blood drive event Tuesday. 

“You know, we’re in a critical shortage right now, people have slowed down or stopped giving because people aren’t going out as much, so this is a really a great way to help the community by coming out here to give blood,” he said.

Hattersley said since concerns about the novel coronavirus peaked to a new level earlier this month, he’s had many constituents inquire with him about what they can do to help out. And he says that while it’s great for residents to buy gift cards to restaurants or donate to nonprofit groups, they can really help out people in need by donating blood. 

Events scheduled in front of schools or corporate offices have been canceled for now because of the concerns about the virus. There’s also a fear factor involved, which is why a spokesperson for OneBlood said they have implemented a number of measures to ensure the public that it’s safe to give blood on their buses.

Those measures include only allowing four donors at a time on to the blood donation bus, using only a few of the beds on the buses to maintain social distancing, taking temperatures of anyone who enters the bus, and immediately directing those who enter the bus to wash their hands.

Palm Harbor resident John Simon, who came to donate blood and like Hattersley is a University of Michigan alum, said he saw the notice about the blood drive on social media. 

“Everyone needs blood, and nowadays with people going into hospitals, blood is even more needed. As well as the masks, but blood is needed in the hospitals, more and more each day,” he said.

“We’re in this together. All of us,” said St. Petersburg-based state Democratic Rep. Wengay Newton, who also traveled across the bridge to give blood.