The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted healthcare workers all around the world. Because of the lack of available medical supplies, 3D printing has become an important tool in the fight against the virus. The Nation of Makers is working to increase awareness about COVID-19 and the ways that it is impacting our health care workforce. It is currently accepting project proposals. To participate, visit the Makers Lab website.

The student leadership of Makers for COVID19 is comprised of diverse individuals. The student volunteers have backgrounds ranging from engineering and design to education and health care. As a rising junior at Stony Brook University, Claire is also president of the Asian Students Alliance. Her main role is to process and follow each PPE request until it is delivered. She also manages the Makers email account and shares information with past requestors.

Despite the fact that the existing COVID-19 vaccines are ineffective against the Omicron variant, biotech companies are continuing to develop and market vaccines that will protect against this new virus. The new vaccine, based on two components, is scheduled to be available for human use in early or mid-fall 2022.