Despite arguably down-playing the effect of COVID-19 on employees at the company’s Alameda factory this week, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has offered to repurpose the factory to manufacture ventilators should there be a shortage.

We will make ventilators if there is a shortage — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 19, 2020

He wrote on Twitter: “We will make ventilators if there is a shortage”, unleashing a torrent of replies, all appealing for the tech entrepreneur to take urgent action.

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Hollywood doyenne Bette Midler also appealed to Musk to take urgent action.

Read more coronavirus-related news that matters to the world of Smart Energy here.

Start yesterday! There is a widely reported shortage…globally. And thank you! — Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) March 19, 2020

An email sent by Musk on Monday evening had noted, “My frank opinion is that the harm from the coronavirus panic far exceeds that of the virus itself,” but also noted, “If you feel the slightest bit ill or even uncomfortable, please do not feel obligated to come to work.”

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