Local Manufacturer Develops PPE For Businesses, Schools
CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL – A Chicago Heights manufacturing company has stepped up to help out during the coronavirus pandemic, transitioning from producing and supplying fixtures and furniture to social distancing decals and personal protective equipment.
Morgan Li is now working to develop and produce custom materials that support CDC recommended social distancing practices to keep both customers and staff safe during the pandemic.
The custom products include decals, signs and graphics that include 6 feet distance markers, floor decals that indicate where to stand, window signs that ask customers to wear masks, and directional floor decals to help maintain proper flow throughout stores.
In addition to designing floor decals and signs, the company has also developed and produced safety shields to help protect staff. These include portable shields made for grocery stores and pharmacies that are made from polycarbonate. Referred to more casually as "sneeze guards," the barriers are transparent and create a physical barrier that still allows staff members to speak with customers.
The shields are designed for a variety of business settings that both allow staff to interact with customers while protecting them from airborne droplets that may carry the coronavirus.
In addition to developing and producing equipment for businesses, the company has also developed equipment for schools that are planning on reopening in the fall, according to a news release from Education Dive.
The equipment for the schools include portable barriers, stand-alone dividers, hands-free door openers and social distancing floor decals that will help keep students, teachers and staff safe while also allowing them to return to school.
"We've always prioritized being able to quickly adapt to meet new needs, and in the wake of the pandemic, the ability to be nimble and offer solutions to current challenges has never been more important," said Morgan Li President Jonathan Rosenband in a prepared statement. "As the country begins to navigate the feasibility of reopening schools this fall, we wanted to bring to market a solution that would help ensure the safety of children, staff and the faculty, and this product absolutely delivers."
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced last week plans to reopen Illinois schools and universities this fall, but some teacher's unions and higher education groups say the state guidelines don't go far enough to keep educators and students safe.
This article originally appeared on the Chicago Heights Patch
