Due to the pressing and rising need for medical resources such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators for medical personnel to combat the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Rogue Fitness has stated that they are taking the measures necessary to produce “masks, gowns, shields, and ventilators.”
According to the post from their Instagram page below, they “have purchased three 3D industrial printing machines to help make parts.”
The global coronavirus pandemic has led to quarantines, event cancellations, shelter-in-place orders across a dozen plus states (and growing) in the USA, and an increasing concern over the lack of necessary medical resources available. According to an article in the The New York Times on March 19:
“The lack of proper masks, gowns and eye gear is imperiling the ability of medical workers to fight the coronavirus”.
The lack of medical supplies triggered the American Hospital Association (AHA), the American Nurses Association (ANA), and the American Medical Association (AMA) so send a letter to president Donald Trump, urging him to employ the Defense Protection Act (DPA), which would grant the president the authority to demand that businesses manufacture the medical resources needed rather than the goods they normally produce.
The president has declined thus far to effectively use the DPA. In a press conference on March 21, when asked about the DPA, Trump responded:
“We have the Act to use in case we need it, but we have so many things being made right now by so many … they are volunteering.”
However, the letter from the AHA, ANA, and AMA makes clear that the current voluntary efforts are yet not sufficient to meet the needs of the pandemic.
Despite Rogue Fitness being one of the companies voluntarily stepping up during this crisis, the timing may prove a larger burden than can be handled without leadership from the White House to demand that companies nationwide meet the needs of this moment. Rogue Fitness even had to halt orders for a full day to allow their operations team to keep up with demand.
While the DPA isn’t in effect, Rogue Fitness suggests reaching out to local and state officials for the best course of action:
“We have begun sewing masks and will kick into full production Monday [March 23]…We would encourage you if you want to do this in your state to contact the local hospitals and your state leadership.”
FAQs
What is PPE?
PPE stands for personal protective equipment. They include masks, gowns, gloves, face shields, etc.
What is the Defense Protection Act?
The Defense Production Act of 1950 was signed during the Korean War. It gives the president the authority to demand that businesses manufacture necessary wartime supplies rather than the products they would otherwise produce.
Feature image from Rogue Fitness’ Instagram page: @roguefitness
