Nathaniel Rivera knew he wanted to help. The SJM senior was looking for something to do with his time during the state’s COVID-19 lockdown but in his words “I didn’t just want another hobby.” Nathaniel decided to make a difference. Nathaniel took up 3D printing as a hobby and began printing face shields, which many frontline workers are lacking.
“I kept seeing news stories and articles about COVID being a long-lasting pandemic, causing changes for up to a year from now,” said Nathaniel. “I had the realization that this is the world we live in now, and it is up to my generation to make it better. If making face shields for frontline workers is my small contribution to help fight COVID, then why not?”
Nathaniel is working with Veteran’s Affairs Hospital and Valley Children's Hospital to provide face shields. His first ten have been produced and will be donated soon. His ultimate goal is to print 100 face shields and he plans on soliciting funds to purchase the necessary materials soon.