(WXYZ) — Automotive giant Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is stepping up to help limit spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The company has committed to manufacturing and donating more than 1 million protective face masks each month.
Manufacturing on the masks will begin in just weeks, with distribution planned for the United States, Mexico and Canada, according to the company.
The face masks will be donated by FCA to police, EMTs and firefighters, as well as to workers in hospitals and health care clinics.
“Protecting our first responders and health care workers has never been more important," said FCA CEO Mike Manley. "In addition to the support we are giving to increase the production of ventilators, we canvassed our contacts across the healthcare industry and it was very clear that there is an urgent and critical need for face masks. We’ve marshalled the resources of the FCA Group to focus immediately on installing production capacity for making masks and supporting those most in need on the front line of this pandemic.”
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Read our daily Coronavirus Live Blog for the latest updates and news on coronavirus.
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
Find out how you can help metro Detroit restaurants struggling during the pandemic.
See all of our Helping Each Other stories.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.