The Verona Public Library has a 3-D printer. Verona High School has all sorts of shop equipment. And this week, both became part of the innovation infrastructure turning out things to help ease America’s shortage of protective equipment during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
Jason Atkins, who runs the VHS technolgy, engineering and design program, used his skills to turn out clips to be donated to frontline workers who wear face masks. The clips keep the masks from resting too heavily on the wearer’s ears. And they are emblazoned with a message that has been used to honor the healthcare professionals who are working tirelessly to treat and save COVID-19 patients: Some Heroes Don’t Wear Capes.
Over at the Library, Director Claudine Pascale has been making face shields. “The process is long to make one, about three hours each,” she says, “so we can only make a few day.” She reached out to Hackensack Meridian Health Mountainside down in Montclair to alert them to the Library’s efforts and will donate her production to them once she has a few more completed.
