The American Red Cross Wisconsin chapter is concerned the flu season may further impact the Red Cross blood supply. Red Cross spokesman Justin Kern says as the CDC warns about a potential spike in flu cases this year it’s important that eligible, healthy residents donate blood or platelets. Kern says the Red Cross continues to address an ongoing emergency blood shortage. Kern says the Red Cross hasn’t experiencied blood supply levels this low at this time of year in a long time. Kern says flu cases reached an all-time low last year due to masking, physical distancing and shutdowns across the country. He says the concern is that many Americans have reduced immunity this year and when seasonal illness increases, the number of healthy blood donors tends to decrease.
