A Coeur d’Alene company is joining the movement of private companies helping to secure equipment needed to protect people from the coronavirus.
It’s one of several Idaho firms engaged in a new movement called #IdahoMakersUnite.
Gizmo Coeur d’Alene bills itself as the city’s non-profit makerspace, dedicated to using people’s creative energy to make all kinds of things. The current project is creating face shields for hospice workers to wear when they engage with their patients.
Angela Hemingway says Gizmo delivered 200 of those this week.
“They’re also 3-D printing masks, working with some local hospitals, as well as even just local doctors’ offices, places that simply can’t get the personal protective equipment they need," Hemingway said.
Hemingway is the executive director of the Idaho STEM Action Center, the convener of the Idaho Makers project. Her organization matches local groups like Gizmo with health care organizations looking for gear.
“One thing about maker is we get really excited to make stuff. But we’ve told our makers you need to reach out to people in your community and see what they need, see if they want 3-D printed masks or face shields or are sewn masks ok. They need to be having these conversations within their community," she said.
Others in that group of makers are the Salmon Public Library and the 3-D print club at Burley Junior High School.
Hemingway thinks more will jump on board. She says health care organizations who are learning about the Idaho Makers project have begun making requests for protective equipment.
Hemingway is steering people who want to get involved to her organization’s website: STEM.Idaho.gov/idahomakersunite.