Locals mobilize to fight COVID-19 through manufacturing
I don't think that the first Italian who sang from their balcony imagined that weeks later, people all over the world would be inspired to do the same. That first, small gesture of gratitude towards our critical public servants has cascaded into a regional, national and now global phenomenon that is boosting morale and encouraging all of us to do more.
I can’t think of a time when I’ve felt more desire to be socially connected with my community. As a dear friend of mine said, “How about physical distancing instead of social distancing?” We can do it with video conferencing, by setting up online community meetings, and by sharing inspiring stories that are unfolding right here in the Campbell River area. On Wednesday of this week, we had our first local COVID-19 event meet-up, and I heard several stories that invigorate me to find my own ‘balcony’.
Rick Segal, one of my colleagues in the Campbell River Area Angel Group (CRAAG), is one person who is inspiring me this week. He has kickstarted an initiative to respond to Canada’s Call to Action. His goal is to encourage local manufacturers to produce goods that help keep our public servants and businesses safe.
Rick’s team at Poseidon Ocean Systems, have started leveraging their in-house capabilities to 3D print adaptors that may allow masks to be converted for oxygen therapy uses. He’s also recruited several more of us, like Cris Fletcher, owner and operator of G2 CNC and Genesis Graphics, to help produce face shields for public servants and ‘sneeze guards’ for local businesses to protect employees and customers as they continue to operate during these challenging times.
What I’ve found particularly inspiring is how quickly Rick has mobilized. His team has already created prototypes, they have thoughtfully engaged local healthcare professionals, they have ordered materials to scale initiatives and they have engaged designers to see what others are doing in the world that is working. He has also brought VIHA into the process to make sure that what is being done is needed and being done safely and in compliance with the best standards that can be adhered to.
Image of a Sneeze Guard at a Safeway Store. Image from 9news.com
Food businesses or essential services, if you need help with procuring and setting up a plexiglass sneeze shield to help you pivot your operations and keep you and your customers safer, please contact Rick Segal: rick@poseidonos.com for more information. Also, check out our resource pages as we endeavour to provide helpful links to community members. These resources from the provincial government may be helpful to businesses that are still interacting with the public:
If you can help produce some of the essential goods that we’re missing, please consider participating in our nation's Call to Action. Small Business BC will be hosting a webinar on Friday, March 27th, about supplying essential goods and services.
It’s easy to feel paralyzed by the scale of what is happening to our communities. Thoughtful questions, gestures of financial or other support, and actions like this can be catalysts of action. Please be in touch via the ‘Contact Us’ form if you have other inspiring stories to share with our community.