U.S. automobile manufacturers halted production when the coronavirus began spreading across the country in March, but the factories aren’t all sitting empty.
GM has reactivated its Kokomo plant to produce Ventec ventilators as part of its partnership with that company. And Ford has teamed up with 3M and GE Healthcare to produce ventilators and personal protective gear for healthcare workers.
Mechanical ventilators provide life-support treatment, but they have been scarce in areas were COVID-19 cases surged more quickly. For some patients with severe respiratory symptoms, a ventilator has made the difference between life and death.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is also producing protective face masks for healthcare and emergency responders. Their aim is to produce one million masks a month and begin donating them to police, EMTs, firefighters and other healthcare workers.
