When film and television production came to a complete standstill, one prop-maker decided he would use his skills to make masks for people and help curb the demand for personal protective equipment, or PPE. 

Rob West tells Inside the Issues he started LA Face Shields after a friend posted on Facebook that a local hospital was in need of protective gear. 

“He found a pretty simple design, an elegant design, that seemed like something I could do,” West said. 

Face shields are different from face masks or face coverings, in that they cover a wider rage of the face. 

West, also a carpenter, said he didn’t want to use 3D printers or laser cutters to construct his design, which is handcrafted. 

“We’ve put a lot of thought into this very simple design in order to get the most out of it, because we’re trying to maintain a high-enough quality product to where we can have them reuse them for weeks and weeks on end,” he said. “Ours are sterilize-able and then very reusable and durable.”

They have made more than 4,000 units for about 50 hospitals across Los Angeles that are most in need, according to West.

He said his background in the film industry has helped prepare him to have the skills needed to jump in and help.

“There is a lot of rushing and long hours that happens in the film industry. There’s a lot of times when things get pushed back and that leaves you with only four hours to really pull some magic off,” he said. 

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