Face Shields against Coronavirus at the Brooklyn Navy Yard

h. nazan ışık—

26 March 2020—

“You deserve, and you must have, and you will have, the supplies you need. One way or another, we’re going to get them to you every day (…) to protect you, to allow you to do the lifesaving work you’re doing,” said Mayor de Blasio on Thursday, 26 March at a press conference he held.

He was talking about Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) include face shields, gloves, goggles and glasses, gowns, head covers, masks, respirators, and shoe covers to protect health care workers and first responders against COVID-19 epidemic. And he continued: “Today I saw a great example of New Yorkers stepping up to help fellow New Yorkers at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, an amazing example.”

The Brooklyn Navy Yard, seen as a face shield factory. (Photo: h. nazan ışık/NKENdiKEN)

Mayor de Blasio on Thursday visited the Brooklyn Navy Yard where Bednark Studio Inc partnered with Duggal Visual Solutions and other Navy Yard manufacturers to make face shields.

“Four days ago this warehouse did not exist, it has only been opened yesterday,” Mayor de Blasio called it “war time factory.” This is what people had to do in battle, in wars all over this world, and supplies would be coming from somewhere else and they would create their own. This is what is happening in Brooklyn.

Holding a face shield “Look at this face mask, how amusing it is. These companies did not make this product. They put them together,” he said. (Photo: h. nazan ışık/NKENdiKEN)

Workers are working on face shields. (Photo: h. nazan ışık/NKENdiKEN)

Michael Bednark, of Bednark Studios on Friday came up with an idea to make face shields for health care workers and first responders. And Saturday the first design was ready. On Sunday he met with the Department of Health, Sunday evening the plan was approved by the Health Department with an order of 120.000 face shields. On Monday Michael Bednark and Michael Duggal, of Duggal Greenhouse teamed up to produce face shields for health care workers, first responders against coronavirus.

Workers are making face shields at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. (Photo: h. nazan ışık/NKENdiKEN)

Michael Duggal: “Six days ago we were producing graphic displays and printing. By Saturday first shipment goes out, 50.000 units. And by Tuesday (all) 120.000 ….

Mayor de Blasio interrupted: “Six days? Six days ago none of these existed, not even the idea. They reached out the City. The Department of Health like the design, they found the materials, called back their workers, open up the space, and they create a war time factory ”

A face shield is basically a piece of clear plastic, a piece of foam, a piece of elastic and a label reads “ Warning: Use only as a face shield against splashing liquids. Read package warning fully before use. Made in Brooklyn, NY” (Photo: h. nazan ışık/NKENdiKEN)

A worker is working on a face shield. (Photo: h. nazan ışık/NKENdiKEN)

“Whether it is face mask, surgical mask, ventilator, you will be seeing a lot stuff produced right here. Because, we have to protect ourselves.

What is amazing is that everyone is coming forward with that New York spirit. “Can do” spirit, ” said Mayor de Blasio.