Unintended consequences of COVID-19: Opportunities for respiratory therapists’ involvement in developing respiratory-related technologies

A significant consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic is the shortage of medical equipment (e g , personal protection equipment) On 20 March 2020, the Government of Canada asked Canadian businesses and industrialists to help develop and manufacture supplementary health care supplies for health professionals Since the call, almost 3,000 companies have volunteered their engineering and manufacturing expertise, including their facilities, to produce medical equipment Some include clothing brands repurposing stock to provide medical gowns and sports manufacturers providing face shields Comparisons of this type of industry collaboration have been made to automobile companies' wartime efforts including Ford and GM to produce tanks and airplanes using their factories during World War II RRTs working directly with patients with COVID-19 have the firsthand experience and knowledge to be invaluable counsel for these companies on medical equipment requirements