The COVID-19 epidemic is disrupting the nation’s medical facilities and individuals who work there. Consequently, they are facing shortages in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). In recent weeks these protective gears have become scarce and in short supply.

As a result, health care workers are being forced to ration their N95 masks. These are the masks the Center for Disease Control (CDC) provides maximum protection form the disease. While those who don’t have access to N95 masks are resorting to surgical masks.

Making Face Masks

In a bid to curb the shortage of these protective gear and stifle the infection rates, businesses and individuals are working towards bringing about homegrown solutions.

Among these are masks. And the nation needs an estimated 3.5 billion masks to cope with the outbreak this year alone. In response, apparel companies and fashion designers are working towards addressing the shortfall. They are doing so

The shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) the coronavirus has created is now responsible for the global hackathon. 3D printers are churning out everything from medical masks to face shields, oxygen valves, parts to make ventilators from snorkeling masks and even hands-free door handle attachments.

The shortage of some key equipment is dire in some locations. Makers, whether individuals or businesses of all sizes are answering the call with their 3D printers.

The Manufacturing Potential of 3D Printers

The one thing that makes 3D printing technology so valuable is its connectivity. With this connectivity, owners of 3D printers can start printing a design after they download it from the internet. Whether everyone is looking to print one specific thing or individual parts for a bigger whole, the technology makes it possible.

In the case of the coronavirus outbreak, makers are volunteering their printers to produce this badly needed