As the challenges to COVID-19 change, we continually find ourselves frustrated at not being able to help because many of us are sheltering in place, effectively quarantined. However some StayLinked employees have been exploring what's possible in trying to meet some of these challenges. It's an effort that highlights some of the organizations out there that are crowdsourcing incredibly valuable medical personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies for healthcare workers on the front lines.
In this blog post, we'd like to share with you some helpful resources for facing the challenges of COVID-19 and highlight some of the organizations that are doing an amazing job of bringing helpful folks together for a common cause. You can visit the StayLinked COVID-19 Resources page here.
MatterHackers: The 3D Printing Makers' Response Hub for COVID-19
According to their website, "MatterHackers was founded by people with a serious passion for technology that helps you make things. With this deep-rooted dedication, we wanted to make the process of digital fabrication more accessible, giving educators, engineers, manufacturers, small businesses and tinkerers the power to make anything."
Located in Southern California, not far from StayLinked headquarters, MatterHackers has put together a resource page for folks with 3D printers who would like to participate. The page includes everything from medical facilities and government agencies looking for assistance, to designs for 3D-printed Protective Face Shield and Low-Germ Exposure Door Handle Adapters. We would also like to share our COVID-19 resources page, a collection of sites and articles you may find helpful.
"It's incredible the impact just a few people can make," says Justin Griffith, StayLinked's CTO. "StayLinked developers Mark McGary and Dwayne Miller have joined Justin in printing as many of the reusable face shields as their 3D printers will allow. "We've been printing these things pretty much non-stop for the past several weeks," says Justin, "and by the end of this week, we should cross the 1000 mark for shields that can be reused. Another thing to keep in mind is that because of the way PPE is normally distributed, these shields are going to people we actually know who are working in places and in professions that may not have had access to them otherwise."
Making Face Shields and Masks for Healthcare Workers in Need
Some of you may have been following Justin's LinkedIn page, but for those of you who haven't, below is an update of what has been undertaken. It's encouraging to see what progress can be made in such a short amount of time.
To learn more about what you can do if you have a 3D printer and are willing to participate in these efforts, please visit our friends at the MatterHacker resource page:
Sewing Masks with Surplus Materials
While Justin is busy printing face shields, our Director of Sales Operations, Soozy Mangum, has been busy sewing together dozens of masks for healthcare workers using materials on hand as well as materials from local businesses.
After speaking with her by phone earlier, she was kind enough to provide some helpful links, including tutorials on the masks she's sewn as well as some info on the free kits offered by Joann Fabrics. "The free kits are first come first serve," she says, "which means you have to wait in line when they open, and it’s one kit per customer. Then you have to return the mask to Joann’s when completed and they will donate. If people want to purchase fabric from their online store for in-store/curbside pick-up, they can get a 30% discount on their order."
Sewing Tutorials and Resources for Masks
https://thecraftyquilter.com/2020/03/versatile-face-mask-pattern-and-tutorial/
https://buttoncounter.com/2018/01/14/facemask-a-picture-tutorial/
https://www.insider.com/face-mask-kit-joann-fabrics-protective-gear-coronavirus-2020-3
We’re Here To Help
StayLinked’s Mission Statement is straightforward: “Our mission is to be the most innovative and well-respected software provider in the markets we serve by continuing our commitment to total customer satisfaction.”
During these difficult times, we’re doing what we can to achieve that objective in whatever way we can—whether it’s continuing to do business as usual (albeit in a safe and healthy manner) or contributing to the greater good by offering our resources and assistance to the heroes who fight the good fight on the front lines. In either case, we’re here to help.
Stay safe and healthy,
The StayLinked Team
