Ossining Imaging Company Provides Solution In Coronavirus Crisis

OSSINING, NY — As a local company that manufactures picture frames and other decorative wall hangings was contemplating how it could make a difference as local residents continue to be surrounded by the reality of the global coronavirus pandemic, the solution turned out to be found in something that passes through Tracer Imaging employees’ hands every day. And when Tracer executives discovered that a clear piece of plastic that is used in picture frames can also be used to help protect first responders and medical professionals in the process, the realization left everyone involved speechless.

By the end of this week, the first shipment of face shields that can be used by doctors, nurses, police officers and firefighters to protect themselves from the passing of potentially dangerous germs is expected to be sent out across the state. By the time manufacturing is completed, Tracer hopes to produce 200,000 shields which measure 10-inches by 12-inches and that can be worn over the masks many first responders are already wearing. The shields are made from PETG, a type of plastic Tracer uses to construct its floating picture frames, according to Kyle Stanton, Tracer’s lenticular sales manager.

Stanton said the sheets of plastic used in the frames are the same type used in protective face shields and are then the die casted into the proper shape before foam pads are added to make the shields wearable and comfortable. And after company officials had thought long and hard about how they could impact the fight against coronavirus, all the pieces suddenly fell into place.

“We felt helpless and we wanted to help,” Stanton said on Wednesday. “We have these nurses and doctors who are there day in and day out and are exposed and that’s frightening…so this was a no-brainer for us to do.”

Production on the face shields began in earnest this week, when 5,000-10,000 shields can be produced each day and be made ready for delivery. The company has already been in contact with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office about where the need is greatest for the face shields, which will be donated by Tracer. Stanton said the company hopes to get the first shipment of 10,000 face shields delivered to the state later this week or early next week.

The company already and thousands of face shields on order ranging from police and fire departments who are requesting the product, EMS agencies, nursing homes, hospitals and others that want to take advantage of the company’s donation. The company has developed a website where orders can be placed to further assist those agencies who need them.

The masks may look simplistic, Stanton said, but have been proven to work, backed by the science that demonstrates how much face shields protect and defends first responders and medical professionals from germs passed along by patients. And while the fight against the pandemic continues around the country and around the world, Stanton said the impact Tracer can make is rooted in a a very homegrown philanthropic philosophy.

“New Yorkers have been through it,” Stanton said. “That’s part of the history here, but every time, we get back up. Every single time. This time, we’re grateful we can help New Yorkers get back up. We can be a helping hand and that’s all we want to be.”