These days, Jess spends most of his waking hours at Kre8Now Makerspace [hyperlink] and Berea Makerspace [hyperlink],community workshop spaces whose members typically work on individual or collaborative projects (membership is paid monthly). Since the start of the pandemic, members have shifted their focus entirely on community-driven health-focused needs. They have made more than a hundred cloth masks, more than 600 face shields, and at least a thousand ear relievers. They have been distributing these in partnership with the Central Appalachian Mask/Shield Hub (https://www.facebook.com/AppalachiaMasks/).
Right now, about half-dozen makers from Kre8Now Makerspace are working with physicians, respiratory therapists, and nurses to evaluate and refine an Air Assist open-source ventilator. Kre8Now Makerspace has set up a GoFundMe account to help cover the costs: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-help-the-caregivers?sharetype=teams&member=4163392&pc=fb_co_campmgmt_w&rcid=r01-158595398144-b2b68275705744d1&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fb_co_campmgmt_w&fbclid=IwAR3lNTtPUCtaF0yFqCtUIwNmNi3X8iTdGXnbdsUVakEl8Gz6c8JwEeZ8fb0. Consider supporting them if you can.
These days, Miranda has been feeling introspective. She says: ”A friend of mine suggested this crisis is helping us focus on proximity. We now realize what’s most important to us are the people closest to us. So I’ve been thinking about it and working on those relationships. Even if we can’t see others face to face, there is still value in this realization.”