- Grandview Middle School
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Grandview Student Makes Masks for Workers
April 23, 2020 — Avery McManus, a seventh-grader at Grandview Middle School, has been busy during the stay-at-home order assisting his dad, Brad McManus, with a project called “Makers for Medical Workers.”
Makers for Medical Workers is described as a group of local 3D makers donating their time and machines to make and deliver free personal protective equipment (PPE) for the often over-looked and under-supplied medical teams on the front lines in the fight of COVID-19.
“My dad and I have been making masks with our 3D printers for workers on the front lines,” said Avery, who went on to explain the process. “First we print the outer border of the masks and then use a hole puncher to punch holes in the transparent plastic.”
The masks are packaged into a box with an elastic band and an assembly instruction sheet, and shipped or delivered to local medical workers, fire departments, nursing homes and others who are working the frontlines of this pandemic. The entire process takes place in the family’s garage workshop.
Brad McManus is a remodeler by trade, but has always been an artist, inventor and tinkerer, according to his wife and Avery’s mom, Crystal Pollard. “Avery has enjoyed tinkering alongside his dad,” she said.
“Personally, I am frightened by the whole corona stuff that is happening, but I know that things will get better over time,” said Avery. “My dad and I, along with other makers, are helping to make that possibility happen sooner.”
Along with helping print and package the shields, Avery has also been the chief editor for the videos they are making to document the making and delivery of the face shields. They are posted on both YouTube, and the Makers for Medical Workers Facebook group, which is set up to match local 3D printers with people needing the shields and donors.
“Makers for Medical Workers has shown how the community has come together to help out during this pandemic,” said Pollard. “All of the materials, and even some of the 3D printers, have been donated to the makers. The masks, then, are donated to the frontline workers via either mail or volunteer drivers.”
They had two 3D printers when the virus struck and the need for shields emerged. They have received more printers and all of the supplies through generous donors.
“Avery is one of many helping save lives,” Pollard said proudly.