Musk Offers to Build Ventilators if Shortage Emerges

Elon Musk said Wednesday that he will use technology and resources from Tesla and SpaceX to build ventilators if coronavirus creates a shortage. 

Ventilators are important in the treatment of COVID-19, a respiratory illness infecting people around the world. The Society of Critical Care Medicine has said nearly a million coronavirus patients may need to be put on ventilators if the U.S. can’t get a handle on the virus.

Musk replied to a Twitter user who was asking the company to consider making ventilators.

We will make ventilators if there is a shortage

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 19, 2020

FiveThirtyEight editor-in-chief, Nate Silver, encouraged Musk to get started immediately. Musk then asked for proof of a shortage.

Tesla makes cars with sophisticated hvac systems. SpaceX makes spacecraft with life support systems. Ventilators are not difficult, but cannot be produced instantly. Which hospitals have these shortages you speak of right now?

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 19, 2020

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio then chimed in to say his city is ready to buy from Musk.

@elonmusk New York City is buying!

Our country is facing a drastic shortage and we need ventilators ASAP — we will need thousands in this city over the next few weeks. We’re getting them as fast as we can but we could use your help!

We’re reaching out to you directly.

— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) March 19, 2020

Musk continued to downplay the threat of COVID-19.

“My guess is that the panic will cause more harm than the virus, if that hasn’t happened already,” he said on Twitter.

Image: Tesla patent