Coming Soon to A Hospital Near You, Respirators Made From America’s Most Popular Truck

In a time of crisis, such as we find ourselves in today, nearly every American feels a sense of duty.  There is an innate yearning to never lose among us, likely stemming from the earth-shattering ethos of self-governance that was first introduced by our founding fathers.  If America fails, so too does the anti-monarchy experiment.  If we mess this up, many outside of our border will lose hope.

That’s why we come together – because, in America, it’s united we stand, divided we fall.  We just have to stand 6 feet apart for a few weeks.

And no American is too big or too small to lend a hand in the current war against COVID-19, as our hospitals struggle to keep up with necessary supplies.  Home seamstresses are working their Singer sewing machines into exhaustion making homemade face masks, while Ford Motor Company is using F-150 parts to make powerful new respirators.

Ford is helping 3M redesign the powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) that it makes for first responders and health care workers to protect them from contracting the virus while treating patients.

(Ford)

The new device incorporates a fan normally used to for ventilated F-150 seats, 3M HEPA filters and power tool batteries for portability. Ford is looking into the feasibility of manufacturing them at an initial rate of 1,000 units per month at the Advanced Manufacturing Center, where it currently 3D-prints brake parts for the Mustang Shelby GT500, with plans to quickly expand production beyond that number.

And, while progress on this high tech piece of equipment continues, Ford has already begun to supply the medical industry with simple face shields to protect against the highly contagious viral contagion.