COVID-19 pandemic

==== Improvised manufacturing ====
[[File:COVID-19 patient wearing scuba mask in absence of available artificial lung ventilation. Chernivtsi, Ukraine.jpg|thumb|A patient in Ukraine in 2020 wearing a [[Diving mask|scuba mask]] in the absence of [[artificial ventilation]]]]
Due to [[supply chain]] capacity limitations, some manufacturers began [[3D printing]] material such as nasal swabs and ventilator parts.<ref name="technologyreview615420">{{#invoke:cite news || vauthors = Temple J |title=How 3D printing could save lives in the coronavirus outbreak |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615420/3d-printing-coronavirus-covid-19-medical-supplies-devices/ |access-date=5 April 2020 |work=MIT Technology Review}}</ref><ref name="aCPem">{{#invoke:cite news || vauthors = Tibken S |title=3D printing may help supply more essential coronavirus medical gear |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/3d-printing-may-help-supply-more-essential-coronavirus-medical-gear/ |access-date=5 April 2020 |publisher=CNET}}</ref> In one example, an Italian startup received legal threats due to alleged [[patent infringement]] after reverse-engineering and printing one hundred requested ventilator valves overnight.<ref>Multiple sources:
* {{#invoke:cite news ||title=[Updating] Italian hospital saves Covid-19 patients lives by 3D printing valves for reanimation devices |url=https://www.3dprintingmedia.network/covid-19-3d-printed-valve-for-reanimation-device/ |access-date=20 March 2020 |work=3D Printing Media Network |date=14 March 2020}}
* {{#invoke:cite news || vauthors = Peters J |title=Volunteers produce 3D-printed valves for life-saving coronavirus treatments |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/17/21184308/coronavirus-italy-medical-3d-print-valves-treatments |access-date=20 March 2020 |work=The Verge |date=17 March 2020}}
* {{#invoke:cite web || url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6695286/coronavirus-italy-3d-print-valves/ |title=Engineers 3D-print patented valves for free to save coronavirus patients in Italy |website=Global News}}</ref> Individuals and groups of [[Maker culture|makers]] created and shared [[open source]] designs, and manufacturing devices using locally sourced materials, sewing, and 3D printing. Millions of [[face shield]]s, protective gowns, and masks were made. Other ad hoc medical supplies included shoe covers, surgical caps, [[powered air-purifying respirator]]s, and [[hand sanitizer]]. Novel devices were created such as [[ear saver]]s, [[non-invasive ventilation]] helmets, and ventilator splitters.<ref>{{#invoke:cite book || vauthors = Cavalcanti G, Cocciole C, Cole C, Forgues A, Jaqua V, Jones-Davis D, Merlo S |title=Design, Make, Protect: A report on the Open Source Maker and Manufacturer Response to the COVID-19 PPE Crisis |date=2021 |publisher=Open Source Medical Supplies & Nation of Makers |pages=18–22 |url=https://opensourcemedicalsupplies.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Design-Make-Protect_21.01.27.pdf |access-date=17 June 2021}}</ref>