Patients were going to die in Brescia, Italy, because of a shortage of oxygen valves for mechanical ventilators. The manufacturer, Intersurgical, demanded $11,000 for each one, and couldn't deliver them right away. It refused to provide the plans either. So a local device manufacturer figured out plans and a local fablab made them with a 3D printer.

Fracassi's design, made by the fablab, fixed the problem for one city, but the shortage of oxygen valves surely affects other parts of Italy, and will soon spread around the world. Out of fear, perhaps tinged with undue respect for the unjust "rights" of the manufacturer, Fracassi insists he will not take the next step which would enable the world to fix this problem globally: releasing the plans he has developed.

The real hero will be whoever releases working plans to make these oxygen valves — perhaps anonymously — so that there can be ventilators for all who need them.