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KRON4 News: CCM Theatre Design and Production student makes face shields for healthcare workers

Justin Levine uses his technical production skills to help heathcare workers in California

headshot of Rebecca Butts By Rebecca Butts
2 minute read April 29, 2020

Justin Levine is finishing the spring semester from his parents’ house in San Carlos, California, while UC’s College-Conservatory of Music holds instruction remotely during the COVID-19 outbreak. When he isn’t studying, the CCM Theatre Design and Production student is using his skills to build face shields for healthcare workers.

A man stands in a garage and holds face shields he created

Justin Levine holds face shields he made for healthcare workers. Photo/Provided by Justin Levine

San Francisco Bay Area TV news station KRON4 featured Levine’s work in its new “Heroes” series, which highlights inspiring stories during this difficult time. Levine, who is pursuing a BFA in Technical Production, started making the face shields after his mom, a medical assistant, told him that some hospitals around the Bay Area were experiencing shortages.

Levine turned his family’s garage into a workshop so he can make face shields using a 3D printer and CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine. Fellow CCM Technical Production major Jacob Blumberg helps by printing the frames for the shields and mailing them to Levine.

A dog lays on its bed in a garage

Justin Levine's workstation in his parents' garage. Photo/Provided by Justin Levine

They have already donated face shields to Redwood City hospital and are working to make more for other Bay Area healthcare workers. They set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for the materials with a $5,000 goal. Donations flooded the website and the students were able to raise more than $9,000.

“He’s always been amazing with creativity,” Jennifer Levine told KRON4. “Knowing how stressful it has been for myself and my co-workers … anybody in this field. It is kind of surreal that he is able to help out with something that is needed immediately and makes a huge difference.”

Read the full story on KRON4.

Feature image at top Justin Levine's workstation in his parents' garage. Photo/KRON4 News

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