Ford Motor Company is picking up speed in designing and actually producing badly needed medical supplies and equipment to help fight the COVID 19 virus. Ford begins production today of a company designed air-purifying respirator in a Plymouth, Michigan plant. Ford is also producing face shields as well as leading an effort to increase supplies of reusable gowns for health care workers. In addition, Ford is continuing to work with 3M to increase output of other sorely needed items such as N95 face masks.