What do motorcycles, reef tanks, and a good cup of coffee have in common? Ariel De La Rosa, our self-professed Technopreneur (but let’s face it, he wears many hats).
Ariel works on the principle of finding and utilizing the right tool for the job. It’s not an intuitive process; it requires an understanding of the core of the options under consideration to address a specific issue to balance out the possible outcomes in the short and long term.
That, coupled with his passion for technology and how it leverages human efforts, while identifying and resolving business problems with software solutions, has made him a valuable team member at OCTO® Safety Devices.
Corner stores everywhere are flooded with seemingly inexpensive disposable masks. While we’re no longer experiencing a severe mask shortage similar to the onset of the pandemic, there’s still a major problem with mask accessibility.
Finding cost-effective (and eco-friendly) mask solutions is difficult among the sea of options available. Disposable N95s, surgical masks and fabric masks might seem like an easy short-term investment – but the cost per wear really adds up...
OCTO Safety Devices has been selected as a semi-finalist in the BARDA Mask Innovation Challenge, from a pool of over 1,500 submissions.
To support the mass development of mask designs that meet stringent, pre-defined performance standards and provide increased comfort and durability for the average consumer, United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), partnered together to create the Mask Innovation Challenge: Building Tomorrow’s Mask.
As the summer months and sunshine-filled outdoor activities loom, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shared optimistic guidance concerning mask wearing. As more Americans choose to get vaccinated, COVID-19 numbers (cases and deaths) continue to slowly decline, precipitating a desire to ditch face masks altogether.
But wait! Not so fast...
