Apple CEO Tim Cook posted a video to Twitter, where he announced Apple has worked to design and produce face shields for medical workers. They have also sourced more than 20 million masks through their global supply chain.
“Teams across Apple have been working hard on ways we can support out heroic frontline medical professionals,” says Cook in the video. He adds that the 20 million masks that they have sourced would be donated to places of greatest need with the help of governments around the world.
In the same video, Cook also mentions that Apple’s design, engineering, operations and packaging teams are also working with suppliers to design, produce and ship face shields for medical workers. He then gave us a peek at what the face shields look like 1 minute and 9 seconds in, adding that one shipment has been delivered to Kaiser hospital facilities in the Santa Clara Valley.
“These pack flat, one hundred per box. Each shield is assembled in less than two minutes and is fully adjustable. We’re sourcing materials and manufacturing in the US and China,” he says.
Apple plans to ship more than a million shields by the end of this week, and a further million each week after that. However, they’re only currently coordinating with medical professionals and government officials in the U.S. but hope to quickly expand distribution elsewhere in the world.
“For Apple, this is a labour of love and gratitude. We will show more of our efforts over time. In the meantime, each of us can stop the spread of the virus by following expert advice to stay home and practise social distancing,” adds Cook.
Besides Apple, we’ve reported on several companies producing critical supplies in response to Covid-19. Petronas and MOH announced plans to develop a breathing aid, Malaysian fashion designers make protective gear for frontliners, and Lamborghini makes masks and medical shields for healthcare workers.
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