Coney Island teen creates global 3D printing group that makes PPE for health care workers

A Brooklyn teen is helping to ensure that thousands of medical professionals caring for COVID-19 patients all around the world are kept safe.

News 12 Staff

Apr 16, 2020, 10:45 AM

Updated 1,483 days ago

Share:

A Brooklyn teen is helping to ensure that thousands of medical professionals caring for COVID-19 patients all around the world are kept safe.
Coney Island-native Karina Popovich has three 3D printers, and says she couldn't just sit back and do nothing in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I wanted to create a group where makers or local hobbies or 3D printer owners could gather together and find hospitals in need get the most up-to-date and approved files,” says Popovich.
MORELIVE BLOG - Coronavirus updates from the tri-state area and beyond 
TRACKERNew York, New Jersey, Connecticut coronavirus cases and deaths
 

The 19-year-old created “Makers for COVID-19,” a coalition of more than 200 hobbyists and 3D printer owners around the world to provide personal protective equipment to medical professionals on the front lines.

“We are all banding together to help the medical workers do their job, and really we are just trying to help keep them safe so that they can keep us safe,” says Popovich.
Countries around the world cope with COVID-19
undefined
Using the communications platform Slack, the group shares resources to ensure they're making PPE that meets high medical standards and also the most up-to-date information on hospital needs so they can prioritize where to send the final products.
They deliver more than 20,000 PPE units to hospitals around the world each week.
Popovich says seeing health care workers so excited to receive the face shields she has made makes all the hard work worth it.
“I saw this video and this picture and my heart just exploded and I want to do so much more of 3D printing, and also really getting myself even more invested into makers for COVID-19 to help these hospitals in need and really help these nurses fight the pandemic,” says Popovich.

Popovich says they've just launched their website for more people to learn about their cause and get involved.
The group has also created a GoFundMe page to reimburse members of the coalition who are spending hundreds of dollars of their own money to make the equipment.
Popovich hopes more people contribute so they can continue to support those on the front lines saving lives.


More from News 12
1:52
​NYPD: Cyclist hit by car door, then run over by school bus

​NYPD: Cyclist hit by car door, then run over by school bus

2:10
Mild temps to close out week ahead of some weekend rain

Mild temps to close out week ahead of some weekend rain

0:59
NYC public school chancellor testifies to Congress over rise in antisemitism in schools

NYC public school chancellor testifies to Congress over rise in antisemitism in schools

2:01
Four smoke shops busted in city-wide crackdown on illegal weed shops

Four smoke shops busted in city-wide crackdown on illegal weed shops

0:53
Pay-by-Plate parking meters coming to NYC

Pay-by-Plate parking meters coming to NYC

1:47
East Flatbush friends, neighbors mourn loss of teen fatally shot in Manhattan

East Flatbush friends, neighbors mourn loss of teen fatally shot in Manhattan

1:17
Authorities: 2 teen suspects wanted in connection to Williamsburg stabbing

Authorities: 2 teen suspects wanted in connection to Williamsburg stabbing

0:25
State Sen. Zellnor Myrie opening an exploratory committee to consider running for mayor

State Sen. Zellnor Myrie opening an exploratory committee to consider running for mayor

0:37
BRIC reveals Celebrate Brooklyn! summer concert lineup

BRIC reveals Celebrate Brooklyn! summer concert lineup

1:56
City efforts Bike Bus initiative to promote safe cycling for students in NYC

City efforts Bike Bus initiative to promote safe cycling for students in NYC

1:47
Prospect Park Zoo nears reopening after almost 8 months

Prospect Park Zoo nears reopening after almost 8 months

1:43
Garden Guide: These plants repel weeds and are a natural fertilizer!

Garden Guide: These plants repel weeds and are a natural fertilizer!

0:27
NYC Ferry brings 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' onboard with Hogwarts-branded ferries

NYC Ferry brings 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' onboard with Hogwarts-branded ferries

1:29
Attorney discusses difficulties tenants could face following Bushwick fire

Attorney discusses difficulties tenants could face following Bushwick fire

1:53
Moving forward: Runner describes emotional, physical recoveries ahead of RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon

Moving forward: Runner describes emotional, physical recoveries ahead of RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon

1:50
NYPD: Man found floating in Coney Island Channel pronounced dead

NYPD: Man found floating in Coney Island Channel pronounced dead

0:25
MTA announces new strategy to improve transit infrastructure for B and D train lines

MTA announces new strategy to improve transit infrastructure for B and D train lines

0:24
NYPD: Man wanted for shooting 19-year-old in Bushwick

NYPD: Man wanted for shooting 19-year-old in Bushwick

0:31
Member of Trinitarios gang sentenced to life for murder of Bronx man on Long Island

Member of Trinitarios gang sentenced to life for murder of Bronx man on Long Island

1:52
UFT: More than 850 Title I schools have the space to meet NY’s class size law

UFT: More than 850 Title I schools have the space to meet NY’s class size law