While medical supplies like gloves and N-95 masks can be in short supply these days, many community members are turning to hand sewing masks; but others have a different idea.
20 3D printed face shields with removable filters were donated Friday to Habersham County Emergency Services, a joint effort from Piedmont College and the Habersham County School System.
"I have many sleepless nights, worried about the employees and making sure we have covered them with everything we can, protective-wise," said EMS Director Chad Black. "And to have people like this, Dr. Chris Kelly from Piedmont or Mr. Joe Stover from the school system to step up, and those two organizations - it just, it's, like I said, it's hard to put in to words the thanks you need to have for them."
Kelly and Stover spearheaded the 3D printing project. They are printing the face shields, which take about two hours, and have more ready to donate as of Monday, said Black.
The N-95 masks are preferred, but in case of and emergency or shortage, the removable filter face shields make a difference.
"We'll be able to outfit every person that works for us with their own personal mask, in the event we run out of the N-95 masks," said Black. "This would be used for back up."
Luckily for Habersham EMS, the community is not limiting themselves to just those who can 3D print. Black said several community members and local businesses had donated N-95 masks to their department as the pandemic has pushed on.
