There is obviously a worldwide shortage of face masks, and coveralls for the battle against Coronavirus.

The word on the street is the that the doctors' supplies of N95 face mask is currently counting down to less than 5 days of stocks left. And coveralls such as Tyvek 1422A , Microgard 2000 Standard, which complies with EN14126 : Barrier to infective agents , is depleted worldwide.

Where are we going to get enough mask and coveralls for the doctors?

Based on this article:
Can Masks Protect People from The Coronavirus? - Smart Air Filters

Image courtesy of: smartairfilters.com

Now that we know the size of the Coronavirus, the folks at Smart Air Filters did some test of the masks and filtration.

To their surprise, the found that surgical masks filters 80% of the air, and is capable of filtering out the Coronavirus.

Materials to manufacture N95 facemask, and EN14126 compliant coveralls are in short supply. The mills that make these materials are very few. And they are very hard to make, hence their high prices to begin with.

But the fabrics to make surgical 3-ply mask can be easily sourced for. The mills are located all over the world. They are in abundance, and their cost is really low compared against N95 masks materials. 

But surgical mask have very poor fit. So, a new design is needed.

Why not explore the idea of using fabrics or materials used to make 3-ply surgical mask --- and to use them to make a better fitting face mask? And to use the same fabrics to make coveralls for the doctors?

Step 1: We will need researchers to verify whether the fabrics used for surgical masks can definitely prevent entry of the Coronavirus or not.

Step 2: Concurrently, the garments factories in China can be engaged to begin making up prototypes of the new better fitting masks, and prototypes of the coveralls using surgical mask materials.

Step 3: If the researchers verified it, the working design of the masks and coveralls can be quickly digitally shared across the world's manufacturing hub to turn these surgical masks fabrics into masks and coveralls.

Factories can switch to manufacturing these new type of masks and coveralls. And mills for these fabrics be prioritized. The surgical masks fabrics has to be made to certain filtration standard, of course.

Step 4: Ship these into those areas and doctors in need. Work on designs for improved version 2.0

This would solve the shortage issue of masks and coveralls.

I am confident, the factories can come up with prototypes in hours. The factory can produce the fabrics for sure. And the factories can churn out masks, and coveralls in thousand very rapidly as well.

If this works, we would be able to quickly manufacture abundant new type masks and coveralls to combat the Coronavirus.

In effect, we would have created a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to battle Coronavirus.

These new masks and coveralls will not look sexy and comply to EN14126 standard. But they will be good enough .

Good enough to prevent entry of Coronavirus.