How Seattle is succeeding in the Coronavirus crisis using technology old and new, with high school’s 3D printers in his house, student runs mask production line for Seattle-area hospitals, and more from this week’s Seattle in the Spotlight.

How Seattle is Succeeding in the Coronavirus Crisis Using Technology Old and New

Forbes | Will Jeakle | April 2

https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamjeakle/2020/04/02/seattle-coronavirus-technology/%2341aaa1728190/#1d240c1a57d0

“The Seattle area, which featured the first major outbreak of the coronavirus in the U.S., is now becoming a leader in successfully fighting the pandemic. Using a mixture of government orders, societal pressure, and technical innovation, the city is creating a template for other stricken locales…Seattle, home to technology titans Microsoft and Amazon, has taken the lead, offering numerous government briefings, including a weekly Wednesday online meeting hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development. This week, the meeting featured PowerPoint presentations by the Small Business Administration with information on applying for the disaster relief loans, the Washington Employment Security Department with facts about applying for unemployment, and the mayor’s office itself, with updates on rules, opportunities, and innovations.”

With High School’s 3D Printers in his House, Student Runs Mask Production Line for Seattle-Area Hospitals

GeekWire | Kurt Schlosser | April 1

https://www.geekwire.com/2020/high-schools-3d-printers-house-student-runs-mask-production-line-seattle-area-hospitals/

“When Ayan Gupta and his classmates at Tesla STEM High School in Redmond, Wash., started throwing around ideas for lending a hand during the coronavirus crisis, someone suggested they make protective face masks with 3D printers. Within 48 hours of hearing the idea, Gupta was heading up a full-scale operation to print parts, get masks assembled and distribute them to hospital professionals…With the help of about 15 other students, and with permission to borrow several of his school’s 3D printers for use at home, Gupta is coordinating an operation that just got going a week ago. A GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign was set up to raise $1,500 and as of Tuesday had pulled in more than $8,200 to help cover the cost of materials — every $1 donated could help produce two masks, the campaign says.”

Univ. of Washington Studies Antimalarial Drug’s Use to Head Off COVID-19, with Gates Foundation’s Aid

GeekWire | Alan Boyle | March 30

https://www.geekwire.com/2020/univ-washington-begins-study-anti-malaria-drug-covid-19-boost-gates-foundation/

“University of Washington researchers are among the leaders of a newly announced clinical trial investigating whether hydroxychloroquine, a drug that’s commonly used to counter malaria and autoimmune disease, can prevent COVID-19. The multi-site trial, managed by UW in collaboration with New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine, aims to determine definitively whether taking the drug can prevent transmission in people exposed to the virus. “We currently don’t know if hydroxychloroquine works, but we will learn in as short a timeframe as possible what the outcome is,” principal investigator Ruanne Barnabas, associate professor of global health in the University of Washington Schools of Medicine and Public Health, said today in a news release.”