Here’s a story from the sports world that is relevant.

ESPN’s website carried a photo of the New England Patriots plane sitting on a tarmac with dozens of crates being loaded onto the giant aircraft. So that story was worth clicking on.

Turns out, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker teamed with the Patriots ownership to buy and go get 1.7 million surgical masks from China. Only 1.2 million of the masks could fit into the plane’s cargo holes. The remaining half-million masks will be sent separately.

Aside from providing the plane, the Kraft family, which owns the Patriots, is paying half of the $4 million for purchasing the N95 masks from Shenzhen, China. Massachusetts is reportedly paying the rest.

The emergency measure required upgrading the aircraft for international travel and waiving of China’s 14-day quarantine policy as long as the pilot did not leave the plane and they were on the ground for no more than three hours.

“I’ve never seen so much red tape and obstacles that we had to overcome,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said. “In today’s world, those of us who are fortunate to make a difference have a significant responsibility to do so with all the assets we have available to us.”

About 300,000 of the masks will be shipped immediately to New York when the plane arrives back in Boston. The masks are sorely needed for health-care workers and first responders in both states.

“It is an honor for our family to be a part of this humanitarian mission,” Kraft added. “I truly hope that in doing so, we can in some way inspire others to find creative ways to give more in support of our doctors, nurses and first responders . . . who provide such compassionate care for us.”

The Patriots are not the first sports entity to help fill the shortage of PPE across the nation. Former New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury, who now plays in China, has also purchased masks and had them shipped back to his native country. Important stories to report.

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