Apple's Coronavirus Mask Face Shield

Sneak-peek at Apple’s coronavirus mask face shield

By Thomas Heuzeroth | Business Editor, San Francisco

| Reading time: 2 minutes

In order to limit the transmission of the coronavirus, a mask is mandatory in Jena. The mouthguard must be worn, for example, in buses and trains, but also in shops. There will be no nationwide regulation for the time being.

The technology group Apple has designed a face mask for medical personnel. As Apple boss Tim Cook said on Twitter, the design, engineering, packaging and operations teams worked with the suppliers.

In addition, the company was able to procure more than 20 million traditional face masks through its global supply chain. Apple’s supply chain is largely in China, where most Apple devices are also manufactured.

Tim Cook Knows What Business He Is In - Do You?
Apple is dedicated to supporting the worldwide response to COVID-19. We’ve now sourced over 20M masks through our supply chain. Our design, engineering, operations and packaging teams are also working with suppliers to design, produce and ship face shields for medical workers.

The group works with governments at all levels to bring these masks to where they are most needed.

A million masks a week

According to Cooks, Apple plans to deliver one million of these masks by the end of the week. After that, more than a million of these masks are to be produced every week.

Apple is coordinating with government officials and medical personnel to bring these masks to where they are most needed in the United States. The masks will later also be available outside the United States.

Apple has closed all 458 of its retail stores outside of China to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. The group has also sent its engineers and designers to the home office. Cook apparently also recorded his selfie video for Twitter there.

Below is the introduction and conclusion of Apple’s COVID-19 Response, dated March 13, 2020:

To the worldwide Apple family,

The global spread of COVID-19 is affecting every one of us. At Apple, we are people first, and we do what we do with the belief that technology can change lives and the hope that it can be a valuable tool in a moment like this. Teachers are innovating to make remote lessons come alive. Companies are experimenting with new ways to stay productive. And medical experts can diagnose illnesses and reach millions with critical updates in the blink of an eye. We are all adapting and responding in our own way, and Apple wants to continue to play a role in helping individuals and communities emerge stronger.

But this global effort — to protect the most vulnerable, to study this virus, and to care for the sick — requires all of our care, and all of our participation. And I want to update you about the ways in which we are doing our part.
Looking Ahead
There is no mistaking the challenge of this moment. The entire Apple family is indebted to the heroic first responders, doctors, nurses, researchers, public health experts and public servants globally who have given every ounce of their spirit to help the world meet this moment. We do not yet know with certainty when the greatest risk will be behind us.
And yet I have been inspired by the humanity and determination I have seen from all corners of our global community. As President Lincoln said in a time of great adversity: “The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew.”
That’s always how Apple has chosen to meet big challenges. And it’s how we’ll rise to meet this one, too.
Tim

This article was translated from German. Click to listen to and read the original article in German