There have been some stories during the pandemic focusing on local and private efforts to innovate in response. I don't remember them all, but there have been stories on individuals sewing face masks or setting up organizations to provide help and companies changing over to produce ventilators, face mask, personal protection equipment, coronavirus tests, etc. Nasal swabs is the most recent one I've noticed; in this case people are using 3-D printers to produce them.
As an aside, I was surprised by a mention in the article of how well-established 3-D printing had become.
Back to innovation: I wonder whether such stories could be found in any society, the desire to help and the spirit of innovation being innate in humans? Or does the relatively decentralized nature of American society and the federalism of our government create a favorable atmosphere for such innovation which can't be matched by most other societies? Or is the key how advanced the economy and technology of the society?
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