American Red Cross puts out plea plea

The Food and Drug Administration is apparently close to a decision to issue an emergency use authorization to use convalescent plasma for treatment of patients with coronavirus.

While hospitals and physicians have used the experimental therapy as part of studies as part of protests with compatible use, the move by the FDA would allow easier and more widespread use.

Plasma, the liquid part of blood, is rich in proteins and antibodies and has been used to treat other outbreaks including SARS, MERS and Ebola.

While more research is needed to prove its effectiveness against coronavirus, anecdotal evidence suggests that it works. “It is thought that plasma contains a part of the survivor’s immune system that can be used to help someone who is currently ill with COVID-19 to recover quickly,” explains Dr. Eric Gehrie of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Unfortunately, the supply of plasma is low. As cases of coronavirus have spiked, the Red Cross has seen hospital demand for convalescent plasma more than double, reducing supply by more than 70 percent. As a result, they file a lawsuit against donors.