Covid-19: Patriots Lend Jet To Fly 1.2M Masks From China

The New England Patriots made proper use of their team jet to fly 1.2 million N95 masks from Shenzhen, China. The masks were brought to Massachusetts to help in the state’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The plane was lent by team owner Robert Kraft and team president Jonathan Kraft, HuffPost reported. The father-son duo’s jet was permitted to use the tarmac for a few hours.

Gov. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts shared a tweet showing the Patriots’ plane being loaded. He wrote that there are no days off, and that “serious teamwork” helped bring the N95 masks over for the front-line workers. He thanked the team for their efforts and mentioned some “dedicated partners” as well.

Kraft, meanwhile, said that it was only natural to lend the plane. He said the fortunate should make every effort to make a difference and help, especially with all the assets available at their disposal.

According to 24/7 Sports, the help brought in by the Patriots flight doesn’t stop there. Other half-million N95 masks are reportedly on the way from China. The team trucks are also being used to send the masks wherever in Massachusetts it is needed. The trucks are reportedly transporting masks to Massachusetts, Rhode Island and to New York.

Reports indicated that the Patriots plane had to undergo several procedures, such as being upgraded for international travel for the flight, as well as the Krafts signing a waiver for the plane to avoid quarantine in China. The Patriots owner paid $2 million for a shipment of about 1.7 million masks. The remaining 0.5 million will arrive on a separate shipment.

Massachusetts has a reported 7,700 coronavirus cases, with the death toll standing at 122.