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(CNN) - A New England Patriots team plane loaded with 1.2 million N95 protective masks returns to Boston after collecting vital supplies in China.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker tweeted a photo of the plane loaded with personal protective equipment that he said would go to state health workers on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis.
According to a source, Baker is extremely frustrated that the federal government beat him on offers for supplies headed for Massachusetts. He worked with the owner of the New England Patriots, Robert Kraft, and the Patriots to have these supplies brought from China.
"No days off. Thanks to serious teamwork, Massachusetts will receive over 1 million N95 masks for our front-line workers. Thank you so much to the Krafts and several dedicated partners for making this happen, ”Baker said in the tweet.
No days off. Thanks to some serious teamwork, Massachusetts is set to receive over 1 million N95 masks for our front-line workers. Huge thanks to the Krafts and several dedicated partners for making this happen. pic.twitter.com/ieV6XMC5Ow
- Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) April 2, 2020
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Robert Kraft and Patriots President Jonathan Kraft partnered with the state to buy 1.4 million N95 masks for Massachusetts, according to the team. Robert Kraft also purchased another 300,000 protective masks for New York State.
“It is an honor for our family to be part of this humanitarian mission. We knew that buying much-needed N95 masks and providing the Patriots aircraft to expedite delivery to local hospitals would immediately help protect our brave healthcare professionals, "Kraft said in a statement provided by the Patriots.
The plane is slated to land at Boston's Logan International Airport on Thursday afternoon with 1.2 million masks. A second shipment of another half a million N95 skins is scheduled to arrive as soon as next week.
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"The Krafts, our partners, Ambassador Huang Ping, dr. Jason Li, Gene Hartigan and our covid-19 Command Center staff came together to do this work and we look forward to the plane landing at Logan airport soon, ”Baker said in a statement provided to CNN. "Our administration will continue to search for the personal protective equipment necessary to support our brave front-line workers who work tirelessly to save lives during this pandemic."
As of Thursday morning, Massachusetts reported 7,738 cases of coronavirus and 122 people died, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.
Baker has issued an emergency order requiring all Massachusetts companies and organizations that do not provide essential services to close their physical workplaces to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. These companies are encouraged to continue their operations remotely. The order also limits public meetings.
CNN's Kevin Dotson contributed to this story.
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