It’s hard to stick to the CDC’s recommendation of wearing a face mask when the world is running out of personal protective equipment (PPE). Because of this shortage in medical supplies, the CDC came up with some tips on how to sew your own mask. This is one way to design your shield. Yet, there are some other suggestions, such as the one presented by BBDO Guerrero last week, when it launched #CommunityShields, an initiative to help front liners with new equipment made up of things one can find in the house.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a worldwide shortage of PPEs. Therefore, front liners — doctors, delivery guys, market vendors, garbage collectors, neighborhood bakers, community watchmen, and the like — don’t have a shield to protect themselves against the infection. So, how can we help?
This crisis pushes creatives to think about something to make a positive difference in people’s lives. So is the case of ECD Tito Melega who couldn’t just stand and do nothing regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. “Behavior has become the message. Just as with people, brands will be remembered for their character and the actions they did — or did not — take in this moment of need,” said Tito Melega, ECD, TitoMelega.com. “Right now, is about people. We are all our own individual brand. We are in this together and it’s everyone’s turn to raise a hand and help out.”
During a daily meeting on ZOOM with some of his fellows — Amine Arezki, Ph.D., a Product Strategy and Autonomous Systems expert in Stuttgart, Germany, Justin Nussbaum, Ph.D., founder and CEO of an innovative 3D printing startup in Knoxville, TN — Melega thought of something that may help prevent people from spreading the COVID-19 virus. In a collaborative effort between the US, European, and Argentine citizens, the artist managed to create and provide, free of charge, a new 3D-printable mask intended to help flatten the curve and stop the spread. “A Mask for All” is being born, the world’s most recent example of social distancing bringing people together through technology.
“I am personally proud to be part of such cooperation for a common cause between Europe and the US. We must continue to collaborate in this way even after these hard times have passed. This is an incredible experience with so much positive energy from everyone involved!”, said Amine Arezki, Ph.D, Co-Founder of ixerabot.com.
The 3D-printable mask was created having one single enemy: the SARS-CoV-2. It is a perfect example of how good creativity, passion, and vision can work with technology. According to its creator, the mask is cleanable, reusable, and 100% free to download. Also, the artists behind the project say that the mask is not meant to replace N95 respirators or surgical masks and the government hasn’t approved its effectiveness. Yet. But still, it is better than having nothing…
