Nike TPU Face Shields and PAPR Lenses for Medical Staff

Sportswear giant Nike recently announced its plans to contribute towards COVID-19 relief by working closely with the Oregon Health & Science University and producing face shields for medical personnel, and now the company has unveiled the product of its efforts: full face shields and air-purifying respirator lenses crafted with components originally destined for its footwear and apparel lines. Parts such as collar padding for sneakers or cords for clothing have been repurposed. Most significantly, however, is the utilization of TPU material from the brand’s signature Air sole units, which have now been used to craft the visors and lenses.

“Without proper facial protection, healthcare workers are at a higher risk of contracting the virus, which could place substantial strain on the healthcare workforce in the months ahead,” says Miko Enomoto, M.D., associate professor of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine at OHSU’s School of Medicine. “The full-face shields help protect healthcare workers’ faces and also help to prolong the length we can safely use a surgical or N95 mask. Nike’s generous response to the COVID-19 crisis helps to instil an added layer of confidence and support for healthcare workers, that we can safely carry out the jobs we were born to do.”

Aside from the OHSU, Nike will now be supplying other health systems in its World Headquarters region, including Providence, Legacy Health Systems, and Kaiser Permanente.

In other coronavirus-related news, Apple is now producing one million face shields a week to support medical staff.

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