For the last 48 hours I’ve been printing Prusa face visor frames on my three 3D printers. This has been a mixed success, but I am pleased to say that I’ve now a box full that will be sent off with courier DPD this week, to be fitted with clear plastic visor material and used by front-line health care workers!

A couple of things are certain: there will be problems with some of the items printed and supplied this way by over 5,000 volunteers around the UK. Secondly, there will be a portion of the press that focus and comment snidely that it was “less than successful”.

Why do we seek to find the worst possible aspect of everything, rather than acknowledging that nothing is perfect and doing our best? I prefer the motto:

It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.

Sadly I hear personal stories from friends who have experienced verbal abuse during this time. It seems that everyone interprets rules differently and will gladly express what they think other people should be doing. As an example, the government allows people to travel to work if they cannot work remotely. But others think this is wrong and write up signs to say “stay home, don’t drive”. Another said they had been sworn at in a supermarket when they got too close to someone.

Rather than curse the government, those who need to travel to work, those who are trying their best to help where they can, or rule breakers (and there are always some). Instead we should celebrate those who are doing what they can and seek to help those less able. Get busy with doing good rather than sit in fear and getting angry.