The COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed the Maker Movement into embracing their role in emergency response. Like ham radio operators before, Makers are helping governments, NGOs and non-profits fill critical skill and manufacturing gaps that are exacerbated when disaster strikes.

From 3D-printing face shields and sewing face masks; to MacGyver’ing a massive number of ventilators, makers are doing their part as global citizens in ways that would have been unfathomable just a decade ago.

If you have skills and would like to get involved here are some resources to consider:

  1. NIH Approved 3D Printable PPE
  2. covidaccelerator.com
  3. covidbase.com
  4. helpfulengineering.org
  5. #millionmaskchallenge
  6. prusa3d.com/covid19 (download the STL files needed to print face masks on your 3D printer)
  7. masksfordocs.com
  8. NIH Face Mask
  9. Make Magazine Plan C
  10. UV Disinfecting of PPE
  11. NIH Surgical Mask Tension Relief for Ears

And some organizations that do this work all year-round and not tied specifically to COVID-19 response:

  1. Engineers Without Borders
  2. Geeks Without Frontiers
  3. Just One Giant Lab

Photo courtesy of fermante on pexels.com

Updated 10 April 2020.