Polymer Applications for Medical Care in the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis

As consumption and use increased, the accumulation of polymeric urban waste drew the attention of several sectors, particularly organized civil society. Environmental restrictions on the use and disposal of polymer materials became more stringent as a result of mobilization and activism. Plastic bags, tires, disposable cups, plastic straws, and PET bottles are just a few examples of how polymers have had a negative impact on the environment, causing global pressure to reconsider their use. However, the pandemic crisis that erupted in January 2020 has highlighted the importance of polymers in modern society. If consumerism was once the driving force behind the use of polymers, health and medical emergencies are now the driving forces. Because of the pandemic's impact on medical-hospital supplies and personal protective equipment for health professionals and the general public, alternative production movements based on polymers emerged.