Novato Teens Rise As Part of the Solution to the COVID-19 Problem

By John Rosenbaum, Novato, California

With school continuing remotely and little structure, it is difficult for many teenagers to find a purpose (other than video games and “sleeping in”). However, several teens in Novato have made significant contributions to the fight against the spread of the corona virus. I have been impressed by the grass-roots initiatives of the teens in our town of Novato (Marin County), California.

Connor Castro, age 17 and a student at San Marin High School, and Austin Castro, 14, a student at Sinaloa Middle School, were looking for a way to help their neighbors and friends who are essential workers—nurses, doctors, and public service officers. The boys were inspired by their peer, Izagani Aquino, age 17 and a student at San Marin High School, who sewed over 100 masks while live streaming and fundraising for the San Francisco/Marin Food Bank. Aquino distributed his masks to families in the Canal District of San Rafael, officers in the Novato Police Department, and food service personnel in the Novato school district. Connor and Austin Castro saw people using their own technology to make a difference.

That inspired the two brothers to use their 3D printer to make face shields. Connor Castro explained, "The really great thing about making these shields with our 3D printer while sheltering in place is that we feel like part of the solution. We all have something we can do to help our community". He explained how they made the face shields as follows: “We researched a 3D program from the National Institutes of Health website and used it to make the headbands. Then we outsourced the plastic for the shields and attached it to our creations.”

Each shield takes almost three hours to print because of the amount of detail required. With plastic shields on backorder across America, it takes some time to complete shields. The Castro brothers delivered the first shields to essential workers on the front lines, including neighbors and family friends who are nurses from Novato, a North Bay law enforcement officer, and a dentist (who found the shields to be helpful with the equipment he needed underneath the shield for him and his staff to wear).

It doesn’t stop there. Local teens are performing many other services to help in our community. Connor Castro started a podcast on Twitch for his peers to have a place to talk about anything from dating, protesting, to voting, an important outlet for teens during these isolated and stressful times for them.

Other local teens took action too. Olivia Nash, age 14, and Amari Forney, age 14, both students at San Jose Middle School in Novato, initiated a mental health group called “Social Sunshine” at their school. Through multiple Zoom calls each week, these middle school students created the opportunity to express their concerns and discuss adjusted routines and lifestyles while collaborating with their peers to seek solutions.

While dutifully completing their assignments online and attending classes through Zoom, these exemplary teens have wisely used their time sheltering in place at home to really make a difference and be “part of the solution.” Hats off to them all.