Previously reported by Techtimes, a 3D printer was used to print valves for ventilators that have saved 10 lives in Italy. This goes to show how important ventilators are in the battle against the coronavirus (COVID-19). Unfortunately, some hospitals are running out so medical essentials!
Elon Musk Coronavirus
The SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said that the coronavirus outbreak is an exaggeration. Despite the claims, he has finally offered to be part of the battle against the virus by offering to make ventilators through Tesla.
Musk announces his willingness through Twitter thread
The conversation started from a thread on Twitter with Musk discussing the possibility of a drug being used to treat malaria as an alternative option for COVID-19 patients. In the same thread, a specific user who claimed to own a Tesla pleaded with Tesla's CEO to repurpose Tesla's factories for the production of ventilators, which are much needed.
That said, danger of panic still far exceeds danger of corona imo. If we over-allocate medical resources to corona, it will come at expense of treating other illnesses. Track graph at bottom of this page: https://t.co/7nWKjiZyFn — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 17, 2020
Musk announced: "We will make ventilators if there is a shortage," which brings to light his willingness to cooperate in the battle against the virus by using Tesla. Once Musk was informed of the current ventilator shortages which are already happening, the CEO released a follow-up statement asking for more information about the affected hospitals.
Read Also: Is SpaceX Ready for First Crewed Mission With NASA's Astronauts After Falcon 9 Failure?
How Elon Musk plans to help
According to Musk, "Tesla makes cars with sophisticated HVAC systems," which was followed with an explanation that "SpaceX makes spacecraft with life support systems. Ventilators are not difficult, but cannot be produced instantly."
There's a shortage now, how many ventilators you making @elonmusk? https://t.co/hsaP9RMDZK — Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) March 19, 2020
Tesla founder certainly has the resources to make a difference with the use of both Tesla and SpaceX, as explained in his tweets. The current resources of Tesla and SpaceX if combined, should make a huge difference when it comes to the supply of ventilators.
Elon Musk previously had different opinions
When asked about the virus earlier this month, Musk drew quite the attention by sharing his thoughts about the virus. On Mar. 6, Musk wrote, "the coronavirus panic is d*mb" five days before the World Health Organization declared the growing virus by the name of coronavirus or Covid-19 a pandemic!
Meanwhile, Buzzfeed reported Musk had sent an email to SpaceX employees saying they're more likely to die from a car crash than the coronavirus.
The previous accomplishments of Elon Musk
Musk has grown in influence as even the director of Iron Man, Jon Favreau, has admitted that Elon Musk was the inspiration behind the popular Tony Stark. Aside from Elon Musk's celebrity status, the CEO has also contributed quite a lot to science as his company SpaceX is one of the only two private companies which won a contract with NASA (the other one being Boeing).
