As the country’s healthcare system grapples with surge capacity amidst the coronavirus outbreak, RV manufacturers have offered to donate units to help hospital and others combat the growing pandemic. In a letter to Vice President Mike Pence, who leads the Coronavirus Task Force, RVDA said OEMs planned to donate RVs for use in the most critical health care settings in the U.S., as determined by the Coronavirus Task Force.
“During times of disaster, state and local agencies have used RVs to aid as local command centers, portable offices, temporary housing and other critical uses,” RVIA President Craig Kirby said. “Now, when our national needs are great, RVIA members, in conjunction with the RV Dealers Association, plan to proactively donate RVs to the most critical health care settings in the country.”
The letter stated the same units providing temporary housing for recreation and camping can also serve a critical role in times of national emergency. The industry pledged to donate 20 RVs to the most critical health care settings in the country.
“We understand the immense strain that the COVID-19 outbreak is placing on our health care system,” Winnebago CEO and RVIA board member Mike Happe said.
Happe noted RVs can serve as temporary living quarters for doctors and nurses, office and lab trailers, bathroom and shower trailers, or temporary quarantine units.
Just this week, the state of Louisiana purchased RVs for such surge capacity. The state of California also purchased more than 1,300 RV trailers to provide emergency isolation for the homeless to contain the spread of the virus.
“America’s RV dealers provide essential services such as vehicle repair and maintenance, generator repair, LP gas service, and when necessary, temporary emergency housing,” RVDA President Phil Ingrassia said.
Forest River GM Kevin McArt said, “There are motorhomes and RV trailers located in all 50 states and we will work with RV dealers at the task force’s designation on critical needs.”
RVIA President Craig Kirby’s letter concluded by saying the RV industry is committed to serving a vital role to help combat the public health emergency COVID-19 presents. The industry wants to serve as a resource to the Coronavirus Task Force as it continues its critical work.
