Group for Experimental Methods in Humanistic Research
 at Columbia University

COVID Maker Response

3D Printing
  • Madiha Choksi
  • Alex Gil
  • Moacir P. de Sá Pereira
  • Jeremiah Trinidad-Christensen
updates ↓

03/26/20 “3D-Printed Face Shields Protecting Hospital Workers From Coronavirus,” in ViceNews by Daniel Ming.
03/27/20 “Makers are rushing to fight coronavirus with 3D printed face shields and test swabs,” in Fast Company by Kristin Toussaint.
03/27/20 “A college librarian and a doctor are 3-D printing protective equipment for hospital workers,” in Literary Hub.
03/27/20 “3D-Printed Protection,” in Columbia News.
03/29/20 “Want to use your tech skills to help during the pandemic? Here’s how.,” in Protocol by Sofie Kodner.
03/31/20 “‘Everybody’s in the same boat’: Coronavirus drives New York’s hospitals to breaking point,” in Politico by Danielle Muoio.
03/31/20 “Columbia University librarian kickstarts 3D printing production of protective face shields,” in AM NY by Emily Davenport.
04/01/20 “‘Someone is dying in our unit every day’: Coronavirus nurse reveals horror of intensive care ward and how it’s completely changed her home life,” in Independent UK.
04/01/20 Chelsea Katz interviews Madiha Choksi. Aired on NY1 3PM broadcast
04/03/20 Yesenia Torres interviews Madiha Choksi. WNYW Fox 5, Good Day NY. Aired at 9:45–9:50AM
04/07/20 “Andover Stories: A news roundup to make you smile.”

In response to the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) as hospitals and clinics scrambled to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, XP moderators Madiha Choksi, Alex Gil and Moacir P. de Sá Pereira, and XP contributor Jeremiah Trinidad-Christensen teamed up to organize a collective effort to produce face shields for hospitals in NYC. This collective came to include Tangible Creative, MakerBot and a host of volunteers from all walks of life.

The first outcome of their collaboration was the release of a Guide and Design for Rapidly Manufacturing Face Shields with a 3D printer and household tools. Soon after, the team was producing, assembling and distributing hundreds of face shields a day. As of the writing of this card, COVID Maker Response has distributed more than 13,000 face shields to more than 40 hospitals, clinics, social workers and first responder teams in NYC. The team has also sent care packages to several countries in the global south with acute needs.