However, controversy still surrounds the FDA’s newest guidance, as some say it is continues to be based not on fact but on prejudice. Now, instead of 1 year, if a male has had sex with another male, he need only wait 3 months to donate blood. Red Cross figures in March showed a drop-off of 86,000 fewer blood donations across the United States, due to almost 2700 blood drives that had to be cancelled. The FDA has announced a relaxing of its restrictions on gay men being allowed to donate blood, in light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
