RESTART.US mobilized data science, supply chains, and public health expertise to protect communities during the COVID-19 pandemic—from forecasting ventilators to putting masks on millions of children.
When COVID-19 struck, governments faced an impossible challenge: procure PPE, ventilators, and hospital capacity with almost no reliable data. RESTART.US built real-time forecasting models that cut through the noise.
Our prediction engines—informed by burn-rate modeling, supply chain logistics, and epidemiological curves—were adopted by the State of Washington, California State, and the City of New York. The tools enabled decision-makers to right-size purchases before demand materialized, and in one documented case, prevented over $100 million in unnecessary procurement by accurately forecasting pandemic trajectory and PPE consumption rates.
Methodology
Forecasting Tools in Action
How state governments used our prediction models
Supply Chain Modeling Explained
The methodology behind $100M in savings
Video presentations available upon request
Millions of Masks for Kids
The program that protected over 100M children
Distribution in Action
Washington, Utah, California & Texas
Children in underserved communities faced disproportionate exposure risk—crowded housing, essential-worker parents, and no access to quality PPE. RESTART.US built a distribution program from the ground up to change that.
Working with state health departments, school districts, and community organizations, the program delivered over 100 million PPE pieces—masks, gloves, and face shields—specifically sized and designed for children. Distribution reached Washington, Utah, California, Texas, and ten additional states, prioritizing Title I schools and low-income zip codes.
Program Focus Areas
As vaccines rolled out and economies began reopening, a new challenge emerged: public hesitancy and unclear guidance on safe return-to-work practices. Fear and misinformation were keeping people home even when conditions had improved.
RESTART.US partnered with the University of Washington Department of Communications to design a behavior-change campaign centered on PPE adoption. The campaign combined evidence-based messaging, community storytelling, and targeted media placement to normalize mask-wearing as a tool for economic recovery—not just health protection.
The campaign launched simultaneously in the United States, India, and Africa, adapting messaging to local cultural contexts while maintaining a unified core: wearing PPE was an act of solidarity, not restriction.
Academic Partnership
Developed in concert with the University of Washington Department of Communications, applying rigorous behavioral science and communication theory to maximize campaign effectiveness across diverse audiences.
Back to Work Campaign Launch
UW Communications Partnership — US, India & Africa
Global Campaign Highlights
Behavior change through PPE adoption
RESTART.US assembled epidemiologists, data scientists, supply chain experts, and communications strategists to move at the speed that the pandemic demanded. Where government agencies struggled with bureaucracy and procurement timelines, RESTART.US operated with the speed and focus of a crisis response unit—cutting through complexity to deliver tools, supplies, and campaigns that saved lives and dollars.
RESTART.US was built by directors who set aside other priorities and volunteers who showed up early and stayed late. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed expertise, sweat, supplies, and trust.
RESTART.US continues to offer forecasting expertise and public health communication consulting. Reach out to learn more about our initiatives or discuss future collaboration.
info@restart.us