Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan has announced a major revamp of the existing manufacturing capacity of the gaming accessory company to produce masks amid shortages around the globe. Masks, specifically medical-grade ones that help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases, have been a major source of problems for weeks in many countries. The US has faced a major problem with obtaining enough masks, as have other countries around the globe.
Razer will now be converting some of their existing manufacturing capacity to produce masks, one million of them in fact, to then be donated to those in need. “While there has been incredible demand for our products during this time with many staying home to avoid the crowds (and to play games), the team at Razer understands that all of us have a part to play in fighting the virus—no matter which industry we come from,” explained the CEO, emphasizing that “all of us have a part to play” in the pandemic.
This emergency conversion of some of our lines and donation of masks is the first step of many that @Razer will take. We are committed to contributing our extra time, resources, effort and talent toward the fight against COVID-19.
— Min-Liang Tan (@minliangtan) March 19, 2020
“Over the past few days, our designers and engineers have been working 24-hour shifts to convert some of our existing manufacturing lines to produce surgical masks so that we can donate them to countries around the world,” continued Tan. “We intend to donate up to 1M masks to the health authorities of different countries globally.” Additionally, Razer offices across the world will be “reaching out to their respective governments/health authorities to see how we can prioritize our support and donations of surgical masks in the various countries and regions where we have a presence.”
This effort comes as countries around the globe contend with more than 224,000 confirmed cases of the virus in 176 countries and territories. The virus is much more deadly than other coronavirus strains, with a mortality rate that has already killed around 10,000 people in the last few weeks. This spread has left many health services reeling, and governmental agencies are scrambling to deal with the contagion.
Various governmental bodies have instituted “shelter in place” protocols that call for social isolation from other people to prevent spreading the virus in local communities. The COVID-19 strains pose a major risk to the elderly and immunocompromised, with mortality rates in those groups as high as 18% or higher.
Many public spaces and events have been canceled or delayed as the virus spreads, with organizations like the US CDC recommending avoiding gatherings of more than 10 people to reduce the likelihood of infection.
