Over the last several weeks, news reports have been countering the deadly, dire, anxious news stories with hundreds of good-news stories about the maker heroes who sacrificed and donated personal protection equipment (PPE) to health care workers.
Thousands of talented crafters, techs, engineers and students have set up work spaces in their homes, garages and basements. Where makerspaces have been allowed, makers have used 3D printers and sewing machines and networked with others online to produce thousands of parts for, and actual, PPE apparel.
A makerspace is akin to a gym. But instead of going to work out, makers go to make things.
Numerous medical workers have been using the same PPE for weeks, literally carrying medical waste from patient to patient because of the lack of PPE supplies.
Most of these volunteers makers never seek payment. Some are pleased just to recover costs. These…
