DEARBORN, Mich. – Ford Motor Company is beginning to ship powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) to health care facilities across the U.S.With design and testing consultation from 3M, Ford designed and built PAPRs to help meet frontline workers’ need for personal protective equipment amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. MORE: Ford teams with 3M, GE, UAW to speed production of respirators, ventilators“Ford could not stand by while health care workers in this country placed their lives on the line to help others without even having proper protection,” said Jim Baumbick, Vice President of Ford Enterprise Product Line Management. Ford and 3M have developed the PAPRs over the last month with the approval from the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, officials said. RELATED: Ford produces 10 million face shields for health care workersVirginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle is the first customer to receive the equipment. Ford has also produced reusable gowns, face shields and ventilators for health care workers amid the pandemic.