NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Lipscomb University's Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering has partnered with General Motors to create a device that makes wearing protective masks more comfortable.
According to the university, a representative from the GM plant in Spring Hill approached them last week to ask if they could use their 3D printers to make “ear savers” for masks for essential employees.
GM had two designs for the ear savers and Lipscomb has been producing them for about four days.
This week, they made nearly 400 and about 300 were delivered to GM, who is donating them to Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia and others in the area.
Lipscomb says the engineering team will continue to produce the ear savers six days a week for the foreseeable future.
Lipscomb has also been producing free protective face shields for Middle Tennessee medical providers and have already produced more than 2,000 so far. Since March 28, more than 1,800 have been distributed to health care workers in Davidson, Williamson and Maury counties.
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See all our coronavirus coverage here
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What is COVID-19 (a.k.a. the new coronavirus?)
According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Examples include the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. COVID-19 stands for "Coronavirus disease 2019," which is when this strain of the coronavirus was discovered.
What are the symptoms?
The CDC says patients confirmed to have the 2019-nCoV reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
At this time, the CDC believes symptoms could appear as soon as two days after exposure, or as long as 14 days.
Prevention
The CDC is recommending "common sense" measures such as:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
