Dating app donates bandanas to bus drivers amid coronavirus outbreak

A dating app is providing London bus drivers with free face bandanas, amid fears of a lack adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline transport staff.

More than 1,000 'It's not about You' bandanas have been distributed to drivers across the capital, mimicking face masks, who are working during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Wingman is a dating app that aims to simulate a real-life social situation, by allowing friends and family to search for and introduce potential matches to a single friend.

Speaking to the Standard, Wingman Founder and CEO, Tina Wilson, 43, explained: "I was shocked at the number of deaths of bus drivers and appalled that no-one was helping them.

"My friend’s dad is a bus driver and was telling me they are frightened, nervous to come to work and not being provided with any type of facial covering.

"She saw the one that I use to cover my face, and asked if she could buy one for him - it got me thinking. We had 1000 bandanas in storage for a Wingman event and realised they could be put to better use, so I gave 500 to a few depots. They were snapped up, so I sent the rest of them.

"We had more stock in the USA which are being sent across, and they will be distributed as soon as can be."

According to Ms Wilson, bus drivers were so thankful people were thinking of them that they offered to pay for the bandanas themselves.

She said: "When I told them that they were a gift to protect them, they were genuinely touched that they were being thought of.

"I have had many messages from the drivers saying thank you, and I get to say to them, a bigger thank-you for keeping the country moving during this crazy time."

The cloth bandanas are not true PPE, but are inscribed with the message 'It's not about you', in line with the dating app's ethos. During the coronavirus pandemic, this serves as a reminder for people to keep their distance.

Ms Wilson said: "Our message, 'It’s not about you', was something I found myself repeating to enforce the fact that you are doing a good deed for someone else, not yourself.

"No bus driver should have to pay to feel safe at work.

"If they contact us at Wingman via email, or any of our social accounts we shall ensure they receive a bandana."

The dating app are also sending out 'It's not about you' T-shirts in exchange for a cash donation to the NHS.

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