Day 221: Doing my part

My first print from way back when I got the 3D printer (a Lulzbot Taz 6).

Another day another update. I have to admit while the situation is fast changing it gives me something new to write about at least. Small victories maybe, I don’t know. The point is I was never one to sit around and let things happen. I’m a fairly busy person, between school and my fellowship I don’t get a lot of time to do things. Thankfully someone else with more time and/or resources has set up a way to help with the coronavirus supply shortage.

There are a lot of things doctors need. Thankfully the maker community (hi everyone!) is coming through in a huge way. We’re 3D printing supplies, designing makeshift parts, and basically doing everything we can to make sure that people get the supplies they need, even if it isn’t the prettiest most finished of supplies.

I’ve joined the ranks and donated my 3D printer time to the cause. I’ll be printing facemasks, but more importantly for those of you who have followed me for some time now, I’ve donated my experience. Something I think could potentially be even more helpful when things start to get worse, and trust me when I say this, they WILL get worse. It’s just the nature of illness, we haven’t hit the peak yet and we may not for weeks. If we end social distancing then we’re even more screwed. Basically PSA don’t listen to trump and stay inside for the sake of your own health and the health of the people around you. Exponential growth is no joke.

All that to say, I’ve joined the fight and I am doing my best to help. I wouldn’t say I am an expert with solid modeling, but I would say that I could do basically anything they need in a reasonable amount of time. If you’re interested in getting involved in your local efforts, I would suggest searching for any requests. Even if you don’t have a 3D printer or laser cutter, you could still provide valuable experience or help in other ways!

As always, stay safe and do your part. It will get better eventually, but for now we need to help keep the deaths to a minimum. I know it probably doesn’t feel like it, but not getting sick saves lives.