Kitsap COVID-19 PPE Maker Team Support Fund

Kitsap COVID-19 PPE Maker Team: Coronavirus Support Fund Facebook: Kitsap COVID-19 PPE Maker Team  With over 100,000 confirmed Coronavirus cases in the United States and numbers rising by the hour, medical professionals and first responders are faced with the difficult task of protecting themselves while trying to save others. Coronavirus spreads at an alarming rate and the need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is at an all-time high. Hospitals and manufacturers are struggling to keep up with the growing demand for the masks and face shields needed to keep their front line healthy and we want to help alleviate some of that burden.  Right now, in hospitals all over the country, including in Kitsap County and surrounding areas, healthcare workers are being asked to reuse masks for days on end, putting their own well-being at risk. While these heroes may be okay with the risks, we want to help protect them as much as possible so they can continue saving lives.  Our Goal:  Armed with a few 3D printers, goods donated/purchased from all over the area, and a need to help others, we want to do our best to support our local medical staff by providing them with as many masks and face shields as possible.  These plastic masks can be sanitized between rooms and allow for multiple filter replacements during a shift. Even just one filter can be cut approximately 4-5 times to be used as airtight filters. Reusable masks can make a world of a difference for those working in close proximity to patients, offering much more protection than a paper surgical mask.  As long we have the materials, we will continue making as many masks and face shields possible.  You can read more about others doing similar work in Kitsap County with aid from the U.S. Navy here .  What We Need: Unfortunately, the materials required to make the masks aren't cheap and they can be labor-intensive. Both Joey and Adrienne have already spent hundreds of dollars on testing and creating these PPEs, and thus, we're asking for any help at all financially so that they don't have to bear this burden alone.  100% of donations will go directly toward creating and distributing our 3D printed PPE to healthcare professionals.  Here are some of the materials we need:  + Filament for the 3D printer + Binding covers for face shields + Filter elements for the face masks + Sand paper + Clear coat + Sanitizer + Elastic  We are grateful for any donations toward this cause. Even $5 can make a difference for a healthcare professional in need of a reusable mask or face shield. If you can't donate, please consider sharing this page on your own social media platform. Thank you for all your generous support of this endeavor! Who Are We? Joey Sim is a mechanical engineer based out of Keyport, WA. It was his idea to start printing these masks for medical staff and first responders. Adrienne Landaal is an RN at St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor, WA. She is on the front lines helping patients directly impacted by Coronavirus.  If you're in Kitsap County and want more resources and updates, check out Kitsap Public Health .