Nevada task force raises $10 million, continues to secure medical supplies to deal with coronavirus spread

April 3, 2020 7:45 PM
  • Howard Stutz, CDC Gaming Reports
April 3, 2020 7:45 PM
  • Howard Stutz, CDC Gaming Reports

Nevada’s private sector task force raised more than $10 million in the past week to assist community organizations throughout the state in dealing with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

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The monetary contributions from some of Nevada’s most recognizable individuals and businesses, raised by the Nevada COVID-19 Response, Relief and Recovery Task Force, does not include direct donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies, including N95 masks, gowns, and sanitizer.

The task force was created by Governor Steve Sisolak and former gaming executive Jim Murren, who is the chairman of the committee.

Sisolak, this week, extended his directive that closed the state’s gaming and tourism industry, all non-essential businesses, and schools through April 30. The governor said extension mirrors the latest guidance from the federal government in an effort to halt the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, the task force continues to pursue global leads to source personal protective equipment, surgical masks, N95-equivalent CDC-approved respirator masks, medical gloves, and medical gowns, all of which will be purchased with the donations.

“In today’s hyper-competitive market of medical supplies, it is critical that we have readily available funds to seize opportunities to purchase necessary supplies every time appropriate sourcing is secured,” Murren said.

“While this is significant progress, there is much more work to be done to ensure our State’s recovery,” Murren said. “In this initial phase, we continue to focus all our efforts on meeting the immediate needs of Nevada’s medical and nonprofit communities during this unprecedented time.”

The monetary contributions are being managed by the Nevada Community Foundation and the state will determine where the money will be directed.

The donors included:

  • Nevada Gold Mines
  • Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation
  • The Fertitta Family Foundation
  • Stephen J. Cloobeck
  • The Murren Family Foundation
  • The Engelstad Foundation
  • Bill Foley, owner of the Vegas Golden Knights and The Vegas Golden Knights Foundation
  • Mark Davis, and the Las Vegas Raiders
  • The Marnell Family Foundation
  • Phil & Jennifer Satre
  • UFC
  • Monarch Casino
  • Peppermill Resort
  • Scott & Mary Alice Nielson
  • Menzies Family Trust
  • Binion Family Foundation
  • Several other individual contributions totaling $235,000 to date

Nevada is considered to be one of the states hardest hit by the nationwide casino industry closures. Gaming and tourism are the state’s largest industries, employing one out of every three Nevada residents. Roughly 40% of the general fund budget comes from taxes on gaming and tourism.

Meanwhile, the task force has delivered PPE to Nevada that includes:

  • 241,000 N95 or N95-equivalent masks
  • 1 million pairs of gloves
  • 2,000 surgical gowns
  • 700,000 surgical masks
  • 100 gallons of hand sanitizer

The PPE doesn’t include donations from private sources. This past week, Las Vegas Sands donated 1 million medical masks and 20,000 medical protective suits to the Nevada relief efforts.

“(The task force) hit the ground running, and through their relationships, commitment and determination, they have already made a significant difference for our state,” said Murren, who resigned his positions as chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International on March 22.

The task force members, Murren said, continue to pursue other global leads on PPE. The committee expects to deliver to Nevada within the next 10 days an additional:

  • 750,000 N95 or N95-equivalent masks
  • 400,000 pairs of gloves
  • 261,000 surgical gowns
  • additional disinfectant

“We could not have made this incredible progress without the necessary funds to purchase these supplies,” Murren said. “The generosity of our donors has made this possible. Nevadans have come through for their state, as they always do in times of crisis.”

Howard Stutz is the executive editor of CDC Gaming Reports. He can be reached at hstutz@cdcgaming.com. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.