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Opinion

MacDonald: Lessons learned and preparing for the next pandemic

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It was only a matter of time before Americans would find themselves wearing facemasks.

I manufacture facemasks and understand that while not everyone wants to wear them, they are a necessity in a pandemic.

Every 10 years or so a Coronavirus from overseas effects its citizens and spreads beyond its borders. A Coronavirus is a type of virus that spreads from animals to humans.

These viruses cause disease in humans; diseases like MERS (middle east respiratory syndrome,) SARS, and now COVID-19. Seasonal Flu is also a virus.

Over the last 10 years, my business partners and I have invested in several biotechnology companies, including the RespoKare line of facemasks.

While these products are relevant any year, they became profoundly so last year and into this year because the masks are the only FDA-cleared anti-viral masks that destroy quickly 99.99% of human coronavirus as well as influenza and other viruses within minutes of contact with the mask.

It was very concerning for all Arizonans when we had some of the highest COVID -19 rates in the world.

That’s why our Arizona-based company made it a priority to donate 30,000 thousand RespoKare anti-viral masks to police officers, low-income nursing homes, and teachers that have returned to teaching in a classroom.

Just recently these groups included the Phoenix Police Association, Glendale and Paradise Valley police departments, nursing homes such as Windsor Encanto Palms, North Chandler Place, and Alta Mesa Health and Rehabilitation, Cherokee Elementary School, Tavan Elementary School, and others.

Arizona is my home and it is my desire to play a small role in helping fellow Arizonans battle the pandemic.

Our masks were designed to destroy viruses on contact. We believe facemasks are intended to prevent illnesses from spreading. Facemasks are not fashion statements. They are not political statements.

Our masks are FDA 510(k) medical devices. They are effective tools designed to keep people from getting sick or passing their illness to others.

Arizona has some of the best medical facilities in the nation. I believe Arizona’s innovative medical sector is the best tool to fight this pandemic and the next.

And I hope our state will never again be known be known as a hotspot for a global pandemic.

Editor’s Note: Kevin MacDonald is a resident of Paradise Valley and managing director and co-founder of Innonix Technologies USA LLC.