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Hopefully as individuals see healthcare workers around them risking their lives, they will be willing to give some of their personal stock of equipment up for the betterment of those being affected by COVID 19. I propose that either the federal government or local/state officials in places most affected try to buy back PPE that was previously bought by community members. Manufacturing more masks is certainly needed, but is definitely not an immediate process. While efforts around rationing and reusing equipment are already underway at many hospitals, it is critical to increase supply as experts expect this crisis to last for many more weeks to months. While it is understandable that this situation is unnerving, we have now reached a critical juncture where healthcare workers that are putting themselves on the line do not have enough protective equipment for themselves. The increase in media attention on COVID-19 in the weeks leading up to the coronavirus outbreak in the United States led to reports of sold out face masks, hand sanitizers, and other cleaning products in stores. We are actively investigating this at the University of Utah. This would allow for mobile PAPR units to be used in cases of need and stationary care to be provided by supply air systems.

This is already in use in industry and available from 3M (1) and others though it can be custom-made too. This supply is typically at 55 l/min and with a pressure regulator and splitter can be piped to several care team members. The solution then is to use widely available air supply lines found in many ICUs and Operating Rooms. The headpiece itself may or may not be in short supply, though that is able to be custom-made or production can be ramped up easily. However the protective feature is the positive air flow, and using non-contaminated air for that flow. There is a great deal of focus on PAPR and concern about the limited supply of the air purifying unit. I am more than happy to help in coordinating such an effort, and I hope this could also serve as an inspiration in other institutions home or abroad alike.

To take it one step further, official collaborations between US and Chinese institutions could also be made to set up direct supply support. Given China's slow but promising recovery from the pandemic, and more importantly, the power of manufacturing and production, I am hopeful that in ways big or small, contributions can be made in order to address the dire shortage of PPE in US hospitals. But I have been wondering if a coordinated effort can be taken leveraging the presence of international students at major US academic institutions. Some of my colleagues and I have been organizing at our school a small supply drive from our family and friends at home to our University hospital. The collaboration and ties between the two countries run deeper, especially in trying times like this. But as an international student whose family and loved ones have just gone through arguably the worse phase of the outbreak, I cannot stop but thinking about ways my home country could contribute.

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