SUNNYVALE, Calif. (Reuters) – Oscar Valera likes to use 3D printers to build an assortment of crafts, but he is now turning his hobby toward the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
In just four days, the New Jersey high school teacher has printed and distributed 200 face shields to medical professionals across the country, including Florida and Texas. He is far from done.
“One woman told me what you’re doing right now is giving people peace of mind. You’re probably saving lives,” said Valera, who found a shield design posted online.
Demand for face shields, along with N95-masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) has skyrocketed with the surge of patients infected with the highly contagious virus. There were more than 238,800 confirmed U.S. cases as of Thursday.
That has prompted volunteer 3D printers like Valera to step in to support doctors, nurses and first…
