Thank You: A Blog Post to Engineers Around The World

I awoke to the sound of the shaky voice of my sister.

“Grandma passed in the hospital!” she said.

How can this happen in a hospital which is supposed to keep you safe? I thought. She died two weeks before her birthday on July 6, 2020.

My sister and I wore black shoes and black dresses to the funeral. I sat in the third row of the chapel and watched my uncles, aunts, and grandpa cry. One of my grandma’s closest friends tried to talk about her without breaking down. Due to the cremation, we felt like we didn’t even give her a proper goodbye. I cried that day more than I have my entire life. If I had more knowledge of her pre-existing health conditions, I would have spent more time with her. This virus has hurt many African American families just like mine here in rural South Carolina. This is why I am grateful for the new discoveries made my engineers. I’m grateful other people can enjoy their loved ones while they are still around.

For example, I am grateful for the engineers working to solve the problem of medical supply shortages. Hanan Anis and her team at the University of Ottawa took existing designs of face shields and within a few hours went on to print models using the Makerspace’s 3-D printer. These scientists were able to print 300 3-D face shields each day. By the beginning of June 2020, they created more than 9,000 face shields for those on the front lines. Using technology to solve problems after conducting research lies at the foundation of the engineering design process.

Others are also working to increase medical supplies. I am also grateful for the Czech engineer, Josef Prusa, who founded the largest 3-D printer farm in the world. Prusa Research has contributed to the creation and distribution of 3-D printed protective face shields to medical staff. According to the World Health Organization and the Centers of Disease Control, face mask shields are recommended for slowing the spread of the virus. His work made it more efficient for doctors to be close to their patients while reducing the chance of disease transmission.

I am grateful for the students and staff at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the development of a contactless thermometer. This thermometer helps students keep track of their health at school. These devices have been set aside in the campus residence halls of students who have been isolated after contracting the virus. Indeed, I had my own temperature checked in July. We wanted to make sure no one had any symptoms of fever after attending grandma’s funeral.

To celebrate her life, we had a balloon release at home in her honor. I remember going in her house and seeing the photo of us all together. We wore purple shirts with pictures of her to commemorate her life. I remember my dad comforting me after I wept. I’m so glad and thankful for the engineers around the world for all they do so that others can have their loved ones for as long as possible. We appreciate everyone that puts their lives on the line for the safety of others. I personally thank you all so much.

Annotated Bibliography:

(Designboom.com, May 2020)
This information is important because it shows how a team of engineers—including Josef Prusa—came up with a creative design to help distribute protective shields during these hard times.

(https://www.engineergirl.org/128119/engineering-design)
This information is important because it details steps of engineering design.

(Engineers Canada.org, June 6,2020).
This information is important because it is how scientists and engineers—including Hanan Anis—are using new technologies to help save countless lives.

(https://www.engr.wisc.edu, April 3,2020)
This information is important because it shows communities are putting in effort to help prevent the spread of the virus.