Battling COVID-19 requires an elaborate armor. First responders don masks, shields, respirators, and other personal protective equipment to protect themselves from the fast-spreading airborne virus.
A staple protective gear is the isolation gown. Made from waterproof material and typically designed with long sleeves and snap closures, they protect health care workers while treating patients from splashes and sprays. According to a 2015 survey by the US National Health Institute, isolation gowns are the second-most used piece of PPE after medical gloves. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, these gowns are in such short supply that the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recently recommended tactics to extend the use of the typically single-use coverings.
Responding to the shortage, automaker Ford has started producing hospital-grade isolation gowns with the fabric used in its airbags.