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Ways to help Medical staff during pandemic see page 6.
Desert Hot Springs, CA PERMIT NO 00005
Friday, April 17, 2020 Vol. 24 No. 30
‘The Great Lockdown’ The global economy likely to suffer its worst recession since the Great Depression By Desert Star Staff The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday has dramatically downgraded its outlook on global economic growth, projecting a sharp contraction for this
year amid “exceptionally high” uncertainty. “The COVID-19 pandemic is inflicting high, and rising human costs worldwide, and the necessary protection measures are severely
impacting economic activity. As a result of the pandemic, the global economy is projected to contract sharply by 3 percent in 2020, much worse than during the 2008–09 financial
crisis,” said the IMF. In January, the IMF had forecast that the global economy would expand 3.3 percent this year and 3.4 percent in 2021. “This year, the global
economy will likely experience its worst recession since the Great Depression, surpassing that seen during the global financial crisis a decade ago,” said IMF’s chief economist Gita Gopinath. She then added: Continues on Page 3
College of the Desert Staff Use 3D Printing to Protect Healthcare Providers
By Desert Star Staff Heeding the call from local healthcare providers, College of the Desert staff are utilizing 3D printers to create face shields for local hospitals and healthcare facilities. Jim Lilly, a computer support specialist at the College who is also a 3D printer enthusiast with seven professional 3D printers at home, was one of the first to respond to the crisis. He started making masks in early March. “I am amazed at how the community has responded to work on this crisis. Thank you to Jim and College of the Desert for assisting in
getting our medical facilities the supplies we need,” said Dr. Ignacio Borensztejn, who spearheaded efforts in accepting and approving Eisenhower Health’s donation from Lilly and the College. Following Lilly’s lead, three other College employees, Michael Gayle, Miguel Pena III, and Jonathan Gorges, have taken home 3D printers from the College and are volunteering to make additional face shields. The new shields are being donated to John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Desert Aids Project,
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Jonathan Gorges, Instructional Computer Support Specialist, shown in his home office, with 3D printing mask pieces