Boeing donates 500,000 protective face masks across Utah

In its 12th COVID-19 transport mission, Boeing has used a Boeing Dreamlifter to transport the supplies to students and teachers across the state, in partnership with the state of Utah, Atlas Air Worldwide, H.M. Cole, Cotopaxi, Flexport and UPS.

As part of the endeavour, H.M. Cole, a custom clothing store, donated 250,000 masks - with 100,000 of those masks sized for children. Cotopaxi, an outdoor gear brand based in Salt Lake City, donated an additional 250,000 masks and converted one of its jacket manufacturers for temporary face mask production. Boeing donated the cost of the mission transport into Utah, with Atlas Air operating the flight on behalf of Boeing, Flexport and UPS helped coordinate customs assistance for the PPE shipment. 

"As students return to school this fall, it will be important that they have masks available," said Utah Gov. Gary R. Herbert. "We thank Boeing and these partners for everything they've done to support our 'A Mask for Every Utahn' initiative and make it possible for our students to have these masks and help keep Utahns safe."

"As a Benefit Corporation, we're believers that businesses have a duty to utilise their influence and resources to positively impact the world," said Davis Smith, Cotopaxi Founder & CEO. "We are proud to partner with the state of Utah and Boeing to help our hometown community as we fight this pandemic. Face masks are one of the key tools the public has to slow the spread of the coronavirus, and we're thrilled that our efforts can help teachers and students safely get back in the classroom."

Similar to previous airlift missions facilitated by Boeing, the Dreamlifter - a converted Boeing 747-400 Large Cargo Freighter - flew the mission with the face masks stored in the lower lobe of the airplane. Following the delivery in Salt Lake City, the Dreamlifter will return to its home base in North Charleston, South Carolina, for a 787 components delivery in support of the global aerospace supply chain.

"Boeing is proud to continue to use our resources to help stop the spread of COVID-19," commented David Calhoun, Boeing President and CEO. "Today's delivery, our 12th COVID-19 response airlift mission, expands our support of essential workers to include teachers and their students across the state of Utah so they have the protective tools they need to safely and confidently return to their classrooms."

Boeing has currently helped transport more than four million units of PPE – including the in-house production of more than 39,000 3D-printed face shields – to frontline health care professionals and communities in need.