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Malaysian Volunteers Produce PPE at Home for Front Lines

Dave Grunebaum

   KUALA LUMPUR - Dr.KathreenaKadir pumps sanitizer onto her hands and
   rubsthemthoroughly before proceeding to put on her personal protective
   equipment,or PPE,including shoe covers, a gown and face mask.

   It's standard procedurethis oral and maxillofacial surgeon at the
   University of Malaya Medical Center now follows before meeting
   patientsso she doesn't contract thecoronavirus.

   "Every patient that comes through the doors is considered positive
   until proofotherwise,"says Dr.Kadir. "So,we need to make sure that we
   are fully prepared and protected when treating the patients."

   The plastic face shieldsheis wearing was not produced in a factory or
   even by a company. It was made in a small house about 10 kilometers
   from the medical center.

   It's where WilliamAlvisse, 52, has turned his family's dining room into
   a production hub. Eight 3-D printers run almost non-stop
   makingtheshields.

   So far,Alvisse'sfamily has spent$1,500 of their own money to make
   thousandsof shieldsfor hospitals across Malaysia.

   "I'm doing this because thefrontlinersare the most important people
   right now,"Alvissesays. "No other people are more important than
   thefrontlinersandif they need something,then Ihaveto produce it. That's
   my thinking."

   Alvisseruns the printers during the day while son Daryl, 20,
   doessoovernight.

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