New COVID-19 cases are being identified throughout the United States every day. While the virus continues to spread in large cities and sparsely populated areas alike, the medical sector is experiencing some serious strain. Medical professionals are severely lacking the protective medical equipment they need to effectively treat COVID-19 patients. Ford is here to help make sure our healthcare heroes have the materials they need to safely combat this pandemic.
Unfortunately, the more severe cases of Coronavirus leave patients dependent on ventilators to help them breathe. With more ventilators needed and in use than ever before, a nationwide shortage has left patients and healthcare professionals throughout the country in a dangerous situation. A situation resulting in the people who need them most waiting for the supplies they need to effectively fight this virus.
Supplying Vital Medical Supplies to Healthcare Workers
After realizing the full extent of the shortage, Ford decided to begin manufacturing the medical supplies that are most needed until this shortage is resolved. The company is working to produce powered-air purifying respirators, ventilators, and plastic face shields.
Ford is partnering with 3M to produce air-purifying respirators. Additionally, the company is collaborating with General Electric (GE) to produce a simplified version of the ventilators that are in such high demand.
Bill Ford, the executive chairman of Ford, explained that by partnering with multiple industries, they could make a significant difference in the lives of the people most in need, standing on the frontlines of this battle.
Public health officials and state officials across the US have been warning that there is a considerable shortage of personal protective gear for the medical professionals tasked with treating COVID-19 patients. As of last week, Ford, as well as General Motors have shut down their production factories due to the rise in pandemic and revealed that they are planning to manufacture medical supplies instead.
The company said the whole idea started when 3M began working to create powered air-purifying respirators and mechanical devices that can protect the medical professional from catching or transmitting this airborne virus. This device will be manufactured at the Ford factory by using existing materials available to Ford and 3M.
Ford also revealed that it is partnering with GE healthcare to work on a simplified version of GE’s ventilators that will be produced in Ford and GE factories.
Ford is also making face shields for medical professionals, and the first 1000 shields have already been sent to hospitals for testing. Ford believes that it could make around 75,000 face shields by the end of the week and perhaps 100,000 in the following week at the Ford facilities in Michigan.
This move by Ford will hopefully prove to be extremely helpful to the US medical industry, which has been in a constant struggle to overcome a lack of adequate protective gear.
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