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Apple Donating Over 20 Million Masks to Healthcare Professionals, Producing Face Shields With Suppliers
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If they merely bought existing supplies they still might be able to get them distributed quicker than they would have been if they were going through normal channels.
Whether or not healthcare providers can afford them, they have gotten more expensive. At the very least Apple is making what I would imagine is a welcome donation freeing up money for healthcare providers to spend on other urgently needed things at this time, such as overtime salaries.
Finally, and this is not clear from the article, they may be getting more N95 masks produced than were getting produced otherwise. In that case what they are doing is a huge benefit. It’s certainly the case that with the face shields they are increasing the net supply.
The only weird thing here is why you are looking for something nefarious behind this story.
Tim Cook is a master of supply chain management. It's a skill that can be applied to things other than computers.
With a few phone calls he can find a factory to make them, find suppliers to provide the materials needed, arrange and schedule shipping to get the materials to the factory, and has the clout to make it all happen very quickly.
The self interest hate will never applaud Apple even when they try to save lives
I wonder what % will go to china? Since Apple just donated 7 MILLLION dollars to them perhaps they can spread the wealth more here in the US.
Where are these shields and masks manufactured? Probably in China, otherwise it would be disclosed. So, perhaps we need to add thanks to China (in addition to our gratitude to Apple). I do not understand why US government did not simply order this stuff from China and let the states (and companies like Apple, Tesla etc.) compete for the supplies in China market.
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I do not think China needs any of it. They are actually supplying the whole world right now. Just in the last two days I read news about China supplying masks and ventilators to Canada, Russia, US, Italy and other countries.
FUD? Do you know what FUD means? What fear, uncertainty, and doubt am I propagating?
Do you ever read the news? In California many large tech companies, including Apple, Facebook, and others have been stocking up on masks to deal with the yearly wildfires situation.
Basically they used their flex in China and their name to get hands on masks at the factory level.
An earlier batch was from Apple’s own inventory. These 20 million were sourced from outside of Apple’s inventory.
They were presumably procured outside the commercial supply chain, since prices are upwards of $7/mask last I heard. That would’ve cost Apple $140 million.
I’m ok with foregoing my next next few quarters’ dividends from Apple for doing this.
I gotta say, this is pretty awesome. Ok, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, FaceBook: time for you to step up too.
Are our leaders so incompetent we need to rely on charity from China for basic PPE?
In any case, from the article:
“Shipments will initially go to medical facilities in the United States, but Apple plans to expand distribution globally at a later date.”
They didn't have all 20 million, but like most other large companies in California, they were advised to stock up on N97 masks some time ago to protect their employees from wildfire smoke.
Apple designs face shield for the virus, but they cannot/will not make a new design for the smaller iPhone even care about the mac mini. Its all about PR and public perception for Apple.
FFS. God forbid they do the right thing to potentially save thousands of lives, instead of selling you your niche product that only a few loudmouths want. Get your priorities straight.
Thats
That is actually true They were required by law to obtain protective gear for their employees. Tney have donated this equipment to help in the virus. It’s easy to check, has been reported for weeks. The face shields and me manufacturing are new
More serious note, amazing gesture by Apple. Hopefully it makes a difference.
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Since we have to rely on charity, the best thing to do is say thanks, even if you’re not actually grateful for the donation.
PS A new design for the smaller iPhone would make it more expensive—the opposite of what Apple wants. And the Mac mini can’t be updated until Intel ships updated 65W processors in a BGA package. Apple is using the most recent CPUs that fit those requirements.
I've always loved Apple ... and their stance on all things human. Tim Cook ... these last few weeks has won my respect as a person, not just a CEO. (I'm VERY critical).
Those higher prices we've all paid for their products are now, REALLY doing to proper use - not just the investors. I sleep better each night now. Soon to be a continued investor.
Dude ... this is not only terrifying yet alarming. WHERE is the source of this video and hopefully this isn't 2020 for which this was made.
Source: India Today News on Mar 26, 2020
Dilip Kumar Kai outsourcing production of Masks in New Dehli
Operation corona masks
EDIT: Doh! youtube link corrected
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Maybe body temperature sensors on AWatch.
Before then, can someone tell Cook how he can stop recording via his Apple Watch?! Please.
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Agree with all of this!
Also, the supply chain has become massively destabilized for medical equipment. I live in Asia and am FedEx-ing boxes of masks to my buddy who is a hospital doctor on the US East Coast, so he can hand deliver them to the ER, which is out of masks. When huge hospitals are out of masks but I can buy them here quickly on the open retail market, then the supply chain has deteriorated, and it’s now up to anyone with access to get them where they are most urgently needed.
That’s excellent. I wonder if healthcare professionals can reach out to Apple to request these? I’ve spoken with a couple of physicians elsewhere who were told they are on their own as far as obtaining PPE.
Contributions from companies like Apple makes a huge impact, similarly to what Ford is doing producing face shields for Texas and other states. We need more companies to utilize as many resources they have to Provide health professionals as much equipment as possible to battle this pandemic, which is only becoming more rampant in certain geographics.
Nice! I’ve heard rumors that the next version will half the thickness, last 25% longer, and will have a rose gold option!