So we may need a lot more medical professionals quickly.

[Flaleftist]

Since it takes years to train them, that isn't the route to go, but there may be a lot of retired who have let their licenses and certifications expire who would be willing to come back. Should the government be looking at some emergency program to fast track them back into the system?

[dhol82]

1. Not unless they pay for their insurance also.

[hlthe2b]

4. See my post on CO... they passed legislation to address the malpractice and related issues.

[MLAA]

2. Yes, good idea

[hlthe2b]

3. Colorado is and has a mechanism to give temporary licenses. It is being put into place shortly

Some other states may as well. It should have included required legislation passed during planning for H1N1 response.

[dhol82]

6. Good for them!

[elleng]

5. Right, and that doesn't happen easily, UNLESS

we import some from . . . . CUBA!!!

[leftieNanner]

7. As long as they don't advocate the use of leeches

[Dan]

11. I suspect that Cuba

Has some very fine doctors.

At one time (can’t speak about today) Cuba sent doctors to various countries to help with their medical problems. I have always respected their medical profession and government for those actions.

[dewsgirl]

8. In China/Iran/Italy, they graduated some early and also

pulled a lot from retirement.

[likesmountains 52]

9. This just came from the Colorado licensing bureau..

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IB3IwENEmb4g9RUxBNXp8gqBtwL5CR77/view

[ms liberty]

10. So you think it would be a good idea

to put retired people, the highest risk group, on the front lines? In what universe is that a good idea? One that already has a vaccine, maybe?

[Flaleftist]

15. A lot of nurses retire well before 60.

[musette_sf]

12. New York is putting the call out too

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-york-colorado-governors-call-on-former-doctors-nurses-to-rejoin-workforce-amid-coronavirus-pandemic/

[Lisa0825]

13. I work with a nurse, whose license is current although she has not worked as a nurse for a few years

and she said that under our state's emergency declaration, they CAN actually call her back to nursing duty, though they would make sure she is placed in a position not as dependent on specialized skills due to her time out of the medical field. Things like triaging, vitals, documentation, etc.

She also said that retired medical professionals can be called back up as well.

[milestogo]

14. But if they're retired, they're likely to be "older adults" by CDC guidelines.

So why would you recruit older adults to be on the front lines of this virus?

[Flaleftist]

16. Many retire before 60. It's a tough job and burnout is a real thing.

They are also less likely to contract it with their training. Some may be willing to accept the risk to help people. That is their decision.