As the battle to prevent the spread of the contagious COVID-19 rages on, the need for additional ventilators has taken center stage. The situation has reached the point that patients outnumber available machines, leaving hospitals and medical facilities strained and in desperate need of help.
COVID-19 attacks the lungs and prevents these organs from providing oxygen to the rest of the organs within the body. Hence ventilators are a critical first line of defense for those infected by the virus. Out of all the coronavirus patients in critical condition, two-thirds of them need respiratory support. Areas with high concentrations of infected patients are draining intensive care units dry of their limited supply of ventilators.
Fortunately, US automakers General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co, and Tesla Inc have all been given the ‘go-ahead’ by President Donald Trump. They can all begin producing ventilators and any other items in demand during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Trump tweeted:
Ford, General Motors and Tesla are being given the go-ahead to make ventilators and other metal products, FAST! @fema Go for it auto execs, let’s see how good you are?
A few days ago, Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, has offered to manufacture medical ventilators from the company’s Fremont, California factory for hospitals and medical facilities in shortage from the ongoing battle against the coronavirus.
Then Bill de Blasio, the mayor of NYC, reached out to Musk saying:
Our country is facing a drastic shortage and we need ventilators ASAP — we will need thousands in this city over the next few weeks. We’re getting them as fast as we can but we could use your help! We’re reaching out to you directly.
The president’s recent statement confirms the arrangement with Tesla is in effect, and now Ford and GM as well.
