An area company today began full scale production of face shields critically needed by medical workers and first responders dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

Jamestown Plastics is located in Brocton, N.Y. in Chautauqua County, and has a lot of experience in the health care field.

In fact, the health care field represents about 75 percent of the company's business

But the firm was not making face shields until managers saw the need, and responded, quickly.

Full scale production of the shields is now underway and the company will supply health care workers and first responders.

The first shipments were to local customers, then elsewhere in New York State and beyond.

"We're getting inquiries from around the country and now the world," says Jay Baker, Jamestown Plastics President. "We're trying to stay ahead of it."

The company began designing the face shields with the help of health care professionals who badly need the protection because of the spread of the coronavirus.

Design Engineer Alec Travis-Daugherty says, "That was the very first principle we put into effect with it, exactly what the health care professionals wanted."

And they got what they wanted.

The unique "True Hero" face shield uses medical grade plastic to provide coverage on the top, bottom and sides, as well as the front.

The simple design also includes a foam forehead pad, strap and ventilation. And after disinfecting, it can be used again.

The company moved very quickly on the project, from design to production in just days, and all the work was done without outside help.

The company is now working around the clock to make these unique, "True Hero" face shields. They are making about 2,500 every hour and 45,000 to 60,000 per day.

 

"This is something we're proud of, but we are actually more proud of the folks who are going to utilize this day in and day out against the virus," says employee Jessup Baker. "Those are the people that are really important. We need to do everything we can as a country to support them."

The company named the shield "True Hero" as a salute to health care workers on the frontlines of the pandemic.