Open Works
Open Works COVID-19 Update 5/29/2020
Hello!
We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy in these perilous times.
Thank you to everyone who filled out our survey or joined us for the Community Zoom call last Saturday. We’ve put the call up on YouTube here and would still love to hear your thoughts on reopening if you haven’t shared them with us already. We know everyone is anxious to get making again, but as of today we are still under mandatory closure by order of the Mayor’s office. For the latest updates, we have been following the Baltimore Sun’s Covid-tracker page here.
Makers Unite Update
The Makers Unite project is still going strong! We have now produced 23,450 face shields for medical personnel, first responders, and food inspectors. We are now working to complete one final order for the USDA that is due on Friday, June 12th. After that, we will be sunsetting the project. Demand seems to have peaked (for now), and we need to turn our attention to sending out thank you packages to volunteers, and clocking in on some much-needed machine maintenance. Big thank you to Chesapeake Light Craft for helping us manufacture the pieces for this final push!
Reopening Update
As we mentioned above, we are still under a mandatory closure order in Baltimore City. Unfortunately, Open Works is not considered an essential facility under current rules. For a quick snapshot of what is and is not allowed under current (5/29/2020) guidance, the Sun published a brief explainer this morning.
The Open Works Board of Directors approved a reopening framework at the Q2 meeting last Friday. It is now available as a PDF. Please read it carefully and understand that it is a framework that is subject to change as data continues to inform our decision-making. We are fortunate that our facility is already set up to handle Covid transmission quite well, with heavy-duty air handling, ceiling fans, high ceilings, and plenty of room to circulate.
The biggest point? Safety is a collective responsibility! Open Works has been hyper-focused on safety since Day 1, and we have a perfect record of zero injuries to members, class enrollees, youth, and staff over our first 3-1/2 years. We intend to keep it that way as we enter this new era, and our approach can be summarized by three simple rules:
– Wear a mask at all times
– If you or someone in your household is sick, stay home
– Clean machines/surfaces with disinfectant after you use them
Still have questions? We thought you might ;). Join us for our next community call on Saturday, 6/6 to go over reopening plans. Check out the Facebook event here or join the Zoom link directly.
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DIG Fellow: Josh Russakis
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DIG Fellow: Lindzor Parker
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DIG Fellow: LaQuida Chancey
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DIG Fellow: MC Carey
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The Open Works Future Fund
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Open Works Weekly 3/24/23
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Open Works Weekly 3/17/23
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Open Works Weekly 3/10/23
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Open Works Weekly 3/3/23
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Open Works Weekly 2/24/23
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Open Works Weekly 1/12/23
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Open Works Weekly 1/6/23
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Open Works Weekly 12/23/22
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Open Works Weekly 6/24/22
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The Boutique Life at Open Works
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Open Works Weekly 5/13/22
Are you interested in computer-aided design, CNC routers, 3D printing, laser cutting, or making furniture? The Makers Unite CAD Training program teaches AutoDesk Fusion 360, use and operation of our CNC (computer numerical control) wood routers, and basic woodworking...
