Nebraskans Here to Help: How We Stepped Forward When Coronavirus Threatened

In the weeks since the worldwide crisis hit home, Nebraskans have sewn face masks by the thousands for health care workers, fired up specialized printers, organized food distribution lines, assembled virtual classrooms, watched over seniors in need and delivered groceries to neighbors.

As the coronavirus raged through Europe, makers from a company out of the Czech Republic devised a design for a 3D printed face shield and shared the digital file for anyone to use. Weeks later, a network of 3D printers has grown into a group known as PPE for NE, churning out more than 2,000 plastic face shields to deploy on the front lines in Nebraska’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

A digital file, an idea and a desire to help have formed into unforeseen assistance for Omaha hospitals, local clinics and care centers.

Omaha World-Herald: Nebraskans here to help: How we stepped forward when coronavirus threatened