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Google is responding to the shortage of personal protective equipment for health care workers, tapping into its global supply chain to donate 49,000 face shields to the Valley Medical Center Foundation in San Jose.
The face shields will be used at medical centers throughout Silicon Valley.
The Google donation is substantial at a time when raw plastic material to make face shields is in short supply.
Valley Medical Center Foundation CEO Chris Wilder told KCBS Radio the tech company not only secured the materials, but went the extra mile in designing and manufacturing the face shields before donating them.
Wilder said if and when they have enough, extra materials will be shared with other area hospitals.
"I’m optimistic personally as I see not only our hospital not being full but also I’m seeing the generosity all around us," Wilder said. "It really makes me feel good in a time of emergency and crisis."
Wilder said many tech companies and members of the Valley Medical Center Foundation have helped by getting into supply chains. Items like PPE, hair and shoe coverings, surgical and N-95 masks, ventilators and money have all been donated to allow the foundation to pivot and focus on the supplies they need.
Distribution of the new face shields will be coordinated by the County of Santa Clara Emergency Operations Center.