Tesla founder Elon Musk he offered himself to create respirators during the coronavirus crisis. "We will make fans if there is a shortage," said the 48-year-old pioneer of the technology.
The tweet with which Elon Musk announced his availability in the fight against the coronavirus had more than 10.000 likes in a few hours. He also quickly received a wave of enthusiastic praise (and some criticism for saying "if there's a shortage").
"IF ??? What planet are you on, mate ???" @TheAiLeen_L asked, while Andrew Wortman said, "There's a shortage NOW."
"Leave now!" Bruce Bluestein urged him. "We have a shortage and frontline health workers are desperate."
“You have a chance to be a hero and save many lives. You have the power, the money and the organization. Just do it!"
Tesla has joined a group of automakers who have offered their help to fight the pandemic, with General Motors and Ford already in talks with White House officials.
The offer comes amid growing fears that vital medical equipment will run out soon in the US: Governor Andrew Cuomo reiterates that getting ventilators "will be the key".
Elon Musk and the coronavirus
Musk's offer came just a week after he tweeted that "the coronavirus panic is stupid," a tweet that has been enjoyed 1,7 million times.
However, on Monday he insisted that "the danger of panic far outweighs the danger of coronavirus".
"If we allocate too many medical resources on the coronavirus, the treatment of other diseases will pay for it," he has declared.
Tesla agreed on Wednesday to reduce the number of active workers in its vehicle factory in California, a county spokesman said. Tesla employs over 10.000 workers in its only US auto factory in Fremont.
