From fashion designers to software developers, a number of North Texas companies have stepped up to make and donate personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 supply shortage. Dallas’ Better Block Foundation is now joining the fight—and urging others to do the same.
The folks at Better Block Foundation have come up with a step-by-step guide to crafting the supplies medical professionals need while dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. In a blog post, Better Block described its motivation:
Our healthcare workers are on the front-lines of the fight with Covid-19, and they’re going to work without the supplies they need. We, like many of you, have digital fabrication equipment at our fingertips that can help with this issue. So let’s unite, and make some face shields.
The adaptive urbanism nonprofit says it was inspired by Portland-based The Good Mod’s open-source plans.
At first, the team was 3D printing medical face shields. But after learning healthcare workers can go through 300 shields a shift, Better Block says it knew it needed to produce thousands.
So, the nonprofit prototyped its own medical face shield design, allowing for it to be batch-made (100 at a time) using only a CNC router, a three-hole punch, and a tie. And then, Better Block put out a call-to-action for fellow makers.
Those with CNC routers, plastics supplies, or wanting to make shields, can reach out to Better Block here. There’s also a step-by-step process here. Donations can be made here. And healthcare workers in-need can fill out the form here.
Better Block Foundation is a Dallas 501(c)3 nonprofit that educates, equips, and empowers communities and their leadership to reshape and promote the growth of vibrant and healthy neighborhoods. For instance, we’ve previously told you about its bus stop competition to improve air quality, digitally created barn, and placemaking in a box. During the coronavirus pandemic, Better Block has also teamed up with Oddfellows in Bishop Arts to create a makeshift pop-up outdoor market.
Get on the list.
Dallas Innovates, every day.
Sign up to keep your eye on what’s new and next in Dallas-Fort Worth, every day.
R E A D N E X T
-
JUNO, which has key executives in Dallas and other cities across the country, wants to get ahead of the hybrid event trend by offering event planners "Intersections of Connectivity," a free ebook on how to organize something that connects virtual participants and an in-person audience.
-
Learn the ways medical school classrooms are looking more and more futuristic by incorporating simulation learning into their curriculums.
-
UNT hopes its cloud-based computer program called RE-PLAN will be able to solve equitable distribution issues that often accompany a speedy rollout. The technology, which uses sourced data to allow public health agencies to craft response plans, will be dispensed with an urgency to target special demographics communities, like people who have disabilities, don't speak English, and don't have cars.
-
In partnership with the Southwestern Medical Foundation, the Cary Council awarded $50K grants to each of its three 2021 young "DocStars." On a recent "What's Up Doc?" virtual event, the young investigators spoke about how their research projects are going, what they hope to achieve—and why the seed grants are a catalyst for medical innovation.
-
Here's a round up of resources that can help in North Texas' unprecedented winter storm. You'll also find updates on funding, grants, and assistance for navigating the COVID-19 crisis in Dallas-Fort Worth.
