A number of clients we are honoured to work with have quickly pivoted during the coronavirus pandemic to brainstorm ideas and then design and manufacture new products to help the Canadian economy get back on its feet.
Citizen Care Pods: efficient, safe and smart testing pods to help fight the global pandemic
When COVID-19 changed everything in March, an interdisciplinary group came together to design custom mobile testing units to help reopen the economy.
Our client
WZMH Architects has been working with other industry leaders such as Quasar Consulting Group, Loring Consulting Engineers Inc., Stephenson Engineering Ltd, PCL Construction, Camillion Corp., Microsoft, and
Parkin Architects Limited (another client in our
Architecture, Engineering and Design (AED) practice), with additional support from suppliers, to develop their Citizen Care Pods, which are a Portable Virus Testing Centre (PVTC).
Parkin Architects Limited was brought to the team by WZMH Architects for their expertise in healthcare and laboratory design, to provide guidance on the selection of materials and a concept for the introduction of a portable lab within the PVTC.
The team started with shipping containers which makes delivery, installation and removal of the unit quick and cost-effective. The containers are then outfitted with intelligent technology and safety equipment to provide governments, businesses and communities with a quick, safe and smart mobile COVID-19 testing unit.
PCL construction physically builds the pods, which come together very quickly. "We went from concept to having four pilot models built within two weeks," said WZMH principal and co-founder of Citizen Care Pods,
Zenon Radewych.
Microsoft helped equip the pods with technology to monitor the temperature and humidity within the pods, as well as monitor the line and wait times outside the pod. The pods can be connected to AC power for air conditioning/heating/ventilation, with low-voltage devices (computers, lights, camera, IoT devices, etc.) powered by rooftop solar and an internal battery. The integration of smart technology means that the testing pod will be safe and secure, both for patients and front-line health care workers.
The pods can be installed anywhere, from high-traffic areas to remote locations, with no impact on the built environment around them, and then stored for future use -- including the possibilities of being outfitted for future flu shots, vaccine delivery or other future public health needs.
Watch a video about the Citizen Care Pods
here, and for more information about the pods, visit their
website.
Print company pivots to PPE
Astley Gilbert, a full service print and online solutions provider, wanted to make a difference when COVID-19 hit. They looked at their manufacturing capabilities and quickly retooled to produce a line of products to assist with the current COVID-19 pandemic. Their initial efforts in March and April were focused on seniors homes, healthcare, and other essential services including various donations made to Conquer Covid-19 and a Markham seniors home.
They are now able to offer:
- Face shields, including a number of different options for doctors, dentists, construction and utility workers.
- Ear savers, for anyone who wears a mask for long periods of time and wants to prevent painful rubbing behind their ears.
- Physical distancing signs and decals
- Sneeze guards, or see-through barriers for counters, to hang from ceilings or as free-standing units.
- Sanitizing stations and hand sanitizer.
"We are pleased to be able to offer PPE to the healthcare, construction, retail and other industries to help businesses get back to work," says Executive Vice President Rino Dambrosio. Check out Astley Gilbert's website for further details.
Shimmerman Penn is proud to work with clients such as Astley Gilbert, WZMH and Parkin who are innovating in the face of the global pandemic to bring solutions to public health. We work with a number of clients in the AED industry to structure new business partnerships, create succession plans, benchmark using key industry metrics and design creative compensation strategies. Find out more about our work with this industry group here.
If your business has responded to the current economic challenges with an interesting innovation, let us know! We like to share our clients' successes on Twitter as well as in this newsletter, from time to time.
The information contained in this publication is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Accordingly, the information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional tax, accounting, legal, or other competent advisers. While we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. Again, no one should act upon any information contained herein without seeking appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation.
The information contained in this publication is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity.
Accordingly, the information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional tax, accounting, legal, or other competent advisers.
While we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future.
Again, no one should act upon any information contained herein without seeking appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation.
