According to the Berks Medical Society, a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) has led some private practice offices and emergency personnel to cut open soda bottles and use duct tape for face shields.
With this in mind, Adelle Schade, director of the Science Research Institute at Albright College, has been working with the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, Ben Franklin Technology PArtners and CrossTrainer Mixed Reality to address a need for medical face shields in Berks County.
Now called the Berks PPE Resource Network, the group is organizing the production, collection and distribution of 3D printed face shields across the county.
Within six hours of creating an online form, 20 organizations had already requested a total 1,200 face shields. And by the following morning, 10 more organizations made requests for a total of more than 2,000 shields. Those requesting PPE include local hospitals, doctor’s offices, police departments and security organizations.
“A triage for requests, distribution, drop-off and pick-up plan are in place” said Shade. “We believe we will have 1200 ready to go by Monday.”
HOW TO HELP
Do you have a 3D printer and are interested in helping? 3D volunteer, support, donor registration: https://forms.gle/fVap7Us7AUFsfbKk6
HOW
TO REQUEST SHIELDS
Request face shield/PPE: https://forms.gle/AVsFLpJbhd9mt8pq7
