ATLANTA - Two Atlanta institutions have teamed up to help protect medical workers on the front line of the coronavirus pandemic.
Engineers at Georgia Tech and in neighborhoods across Atlanta have been working around the clock to manufacture protective gear using lasers and 3D printers.
SEE ALSO: Atlanta engineers use technology to print masks and face shields
To help in the production, the Coca-Cola Company donated about 6,000 pounds of plastic sheeting this week. That plastic will soon be turned into more than 50,000 plastic surgical shields.
Those shields will then be donated to hospitals across Atlanta.
SEE ALSO: Emory Healthcare accepting donations of unopened medical supplies
The Yellow Jacket community has already made several donations, including one to Emory Healthcare.
They have released the design specs for those who have 3D printers at home and would like to help. Those can be found by following this link.
The engineers warn those who are making some of these products at home to make sure to choose materials that can be bleached or properly sanitized.
Georgia Tech is also are working with Georgia Pacific, Siemens and other companies to scale these creations to mass production.
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Best prevention measures:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least twenty seconds.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
RESOURCES:
- Symptoms, testing and how to prepare amid growing COVID-19 outbreak
- Who is most susceptible to coronavirus? COVID-19 not just affecting older people
- Coronavirus cleaners: These products will kill COVID-19, according to the EPA
- Coronavirus and pets: Your cat or dog probably can’t get COVID-19, WHO says
- Will sick leave protect me if I get ill from coronavirus? 5 questions answered
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