With the lack of protective equipment for many, helping to protect those among us who are at high risk for contracting the deadly Coronavirus, (COVID-19), protect themselves may seem lost in translation, but a 13-year-old young man from Falls Church, Virginia is on a mission to make sure that he does his part to help.
Charles Randolph is using his quarantine time afterschool to make face masks to help out during this worldwide public health crisis. He got the idea to spring into action when he thought about his great-uncle who suffers from preexisting conditions, making him immunocompromised.
“My mom has me on a super strict schedule,” the teen told WJLA in an interview. It’s not the best thing in the world but, two hours of homework every day, don’t enjoy that often, but you know. I saw in the news that high-risk patients, people with existing diseases like heart problems and asthma, I thought this would help him.”
Tapping into what he learned in his 3D technology enrichment classes, he took to his parents 3D printer and started crafting a solution for many.
“…This is the first real, useful thing that I’ve made,” said Randolph.
Each mask takes about 90 minutes to make and is produced for about a dollar. Charles has continued to produce the masks to be donated among his community members.
I just got chills watching this story. Charles Randolph, thank you for making a difference. @ABC7Jay reports "13-year-old Va. boy uses parent's 3D printer to make masks he's now donating" VIDEO: https://t.co/XH567wE0Ws pic.twitter.com/u13oqqmsvf
— Lindsey Mastis (@LindseyMastis) March 25, 2020
The masks do not function as the CDC approved N95 masks, nor are they advised for medical staff usage, but they will hopefully give those at high risk an extra barrier of protection against the virus.
Randolph said that he plans to continue innovating and cannot wait for the next idea to pop into his head. Congratulations, Charles! We know that you are truly destined to help change the world!
