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VM brings you the latest information from optical companies and organizations responding to the coronavirus. Luxottica Group has repurposed a part of its factory in Orange County, California, to supply face shields to meet the growing demand for coverage amid COVID-19. The group’s 550,000 square foot facility typically produces tens of thousands of Oakley eyewear and goggles each day, but will now be repurposed to build face shields alongside existing product. In addition, Luxottica will donate the first 140,000 shields to front line workers in hospitals around the country.

These Oakley Face Shields will be made from a mix of Polycarbonate, acetate, PET or APET. Compatible with N95 respirator masks and protective eyewear, the shields meet ANSI Z87.1 standards for protection against droplets. In addition, the Foothill Ranch facility where the face shields will be made has been modified for COVID-19 health and safety measures, including enhanced cleaning protocols, a redesigned layout to accommodate social and physical distancing and mandated the use of company issued face masks by employees.

Fabrizio Uguzzoni, president of Luxottica Wholesale North America said, “We have seen the best of humanity over the past few months in our communities and among our own employees at Luxottica. But the reality is the virus isn’t going to disappear in the short term and the need for protection remains critical. As we look to do our part, it’s clear we have the capacity, resources and talent to make a real impact, starting with our strong suit—designing and manufacturing the highest quality eyewear.”

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Luxottica and its brands including Oakley and Costa have donated tens of thousands of protective eyewear, goggles and masks to hospitals and other institutions in areas where it has a large presence including Southern California, New York, Atlanta, Cincinnati and South Florida. It also provided masks to thousands of its wholesale customers across North America.

Santinelli International is rebroadcasting a remastered version of their latest “Zoominar” discussing “How to Select, Prepare and Implement In-Office Edging: A Key Strategy in a Post COVID World.”

The Zoominar will consist of a simulcast featuring a pre-recorded discussion with industry leaders discussing in-office edging. Gerard Santinelli, company CEO and president, will join in live, and will answer questions from the audience during during an afterparty.

“We have had such great responses to our Zoominar Series and we feel it’s a great idea to continue to use hybrid technology to rebroadcast the Zoominars, all while still having live interactions,” said Santinelli. “As industry leaders we need to continually share experiences and exchange post Covid-19 strategies that assist practices. We always have great questions that we just didn’t have time to get to the first time around and we look forward to answering those, and much more this time. For practices not currently edging in house and considering strategies to help their practices grow and thrive, then this Zoominar is for them.”

The Zoominar rebroadcast is scheduled for Sept. 17 at 7:00 pm ET. Click here  to register.

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