In mid-March, as the coronavirus began to spread, so did a networks of citizens who began to use their domestic 3D printers to make face shields, goggles, and protective helmets for donation to the hospitals, care homes, and outpatient clinics, that needed them so urgently.
The network called itself “Coronavirus Makers”, and it coordinated with the institutions needing these items and with the volunteers who delivered them to all parts of Spain. Since 15 March, Coronavirus Makers has made 350,000 shields, and is now producing them at a rate of some 40,000 a day.
José David Roca, an Iberia Passenger Service Agent at Madrid Airport, is one of the makers.
“I bought the printer about a year ago, because my brother-in-law had one, and I thought I could use it to make toys for my little daughter, and maybe a household gadget or two. When I got it, I contacted with the “maker” community on social media, where people exchange tips and ideas for using their 3D printers. It was there that I learned of the “Coronavirus Maker” initiative which I immediately joined. As soon as a design was approved by the Health Ministry, it was distributed to the community and we went to work.
“Each of us did what we could, and some worked day and night. We all helped each other when we had problems with the machines. When everything went right, one face shield set could be produced in two hours Some people specialised in just one component. Civil defence officers picked the components for assembly and delivery.
“Two relatives of mine came down with the virus and were hospitalised in Toledo, so I’ve experienced the crisis fairly close at hand. I got to make about 80 units for that hospital.
“It was the first time I’ve been involved in anything like this, and it’s a great feeling to be a part of an effort to protect lives. At Iberia when problems are coming thick and fast we always remind ourselves that aircraft take off against the wind. And in a situation like this we see the truth in another company adage: ‘to fly we need everybody’s wings’.”
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
