As cases of COVID-19 continue to grow, health professionals across the GTA are in need of critically important PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to fight the pandemic. This is something the industrial design and product manufacturing sectors can get involved in and help in a big way.
For example, The PPE Drive currently underway is an outreach campaign started by medical leaders in Toronto’s Michael Garron Hospital (formerly Toronto East General Hospital) to support anticipated shortages in the healthcare system.
The Toronto Society of Architects has highlighted a few ways designers and fabricators can help:
- Donate unopened PPE | Have an unopened box of nitrile gloves, vented goggles, or even ear-looped masks? Know a contractor, supplier or fabricator that does? You can donate these supplies either by dropping them off at the hospital or arranging a pick-up. A list of needed equipment and participating hospitals can be found on their website.
- Sew a Mask | Know how to sew? The Michael Garron Hospital is calling for Torontonians to collectively create 1,000 masks a week which will go to approved visitors, discharged patients and the broader community to help prevent disease transmission. Instructions on how to make the masks and where to donate them can be found on the hospital website.
- 3D Print Visors Frames | Have a 3D printer? Michael Garron Hospital is calling on the 3D printing community to create 10,000 visors frames in order for hospitals to make needed face shields. An .stl file and detailed instructions and sizes can be found on the campaign’s 3D Printed Visor website.
