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| Out of Retirement, Into the Coronavirus Fight | Out of Retirement, Into the Coronavirus Fight |
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| As the fast-rising tide of sick people overwhelms hospitals and infects the doctors and nurses delivering care, officials across the country and around the world have asked retired health care workers to help reinforce systems in crisis. Raising their hands, they feel at once resolute and torn, weighing their expertise and desire to serve against their heightened vulnerabilities. | As the fast-rising tide of sick people overwhelms hospitals and infects the doctors and nurses delivering care, officials across the country and around the world have asked retired health care workers to help reinforce systems in crisis. Raising their hands, they feel at once resolute and torn, weighing their expertise and desire to serve against their heightened vulnerabilities. |
| Thousands have answered the call. Here are a few of them. | Thousands have answered the call. Here are a few of them. |
| New York City | New York City |
| Retired primary care doctor and former assistant commissioner for the Bronx Bureau of Neighborhood Health | Retired primary care doctor and former assistant commissioner for the Bronx Bureau of Neighborhood Health |
| I had my retirement party on Feb. 28. I was feeling so lucky. I’ve learned so much. I’ve been able to work with amazing people and to do some things that have been really good. And it turns out when you retire, people tell you things about yourself, ways that you had an effect, and they said just lovely things. | I had my retirement party on Feb. 28. I was feeling so lucky. I’ve learned so much. I’ve been able to work with amazing people and to do some things that have been really good. And it turns out when you retire, people tell you things about yourself, ways that you had an effect, and they said just lovely things. |
| I thought I would be hiking with my partner and son in Wyoming right now. He talks about how wide open it is, how different from the Bronx, where we live. I was really looking forward to seeing the beauty of it through his eyes. | I thought I would be hiking with my partner and son in Wyoming right now. He talks about how wide open it is, how different from the Bronx, where we live. I was really looking forward to seeing the beauty of it through his eyes. |
| But so many things have changed. I’ve always wanted to make sure that I’m part of the solution and not part of the problem. So that means I’ve got to rearrange my thoughts about retirement. I signed up online on March 15. | But so many things have changed. I’ve always wanted to make sure that I’m part of the solution and not part of the problem. So that means I’ve got to rearrange my thoughts about retirement. I signed up online on March 15. |
| I’m in a higher than average risk group, so there’s a lot of concern from my family. Just age puts me at a modest risk. And I’m a fairly recent cancer survivor. I had surgery and radiation therapy and chemotherapy and those things have an effect on your immune system. | I’m in a higher than average risk group, so there’s a lot of concern from my family. Just age puts me at a modest risk. And I’m a fairly recent cancer survivor. I had surgery and radiation therapy and chemotherapy and those things have an effect on your immune system. |
| There have been a lot of discussions with the family. If you’ve had anybody in your family or close circle who’s gone through the trifecta of cancer treatments, everybody’s done a lot already. They’ve invested a lot in me being alive. I think of this even when I get on my bike: “I better not have a crash because people really worked hard to keep me alive.” | There have been a lot of discussions with the family. If you’ve had anybody in your family or close circle who’s gone through the trifecta of cancer treatments, everybody’s done a lot already. They’ve invested a lot in me being alive. I think of this even when I get on my bike: “I better not have a crash because people really worked hard to keep me alive.” |
| For my family and friends, I don’t want to take an undue risk. And I also have this funny pressure of, “Oh my goodness, if I got sick and I’m in a higher risk group to have more difficult complications, then I myself would clog up an E.R. spot or a hospital bed or a ventilator. I can’t do that, those are precious resources!” | For my family and friends, I don’t want to take an undue risk. And I also have this funny pressure of, “Oh my goodness, if I got sick and I’m in a higher risk group to have more difficult complications, then I myself would clog up an E.R. spot or a hospital bed or a ventilator. I can’t do that, those are precious resources!” |
| But I am more than confident that we know enough to be able to safeguard health care workers and health care volunteers. I have skills to put to good use, especially in these troubled times. | But I am more than confident that we know enough to be able to safeguard health care workers and health care volunteers. I have skills to put to good use, especially in these troubled times. |
| I feel lucky that because I have a medical degree, I have a path to help out. It feels like a gift. | I feel lucky that because I have a medical degree, I have a path to help out. It feels like a gift. |
| Crystal Lake, Ill. | Crystal Lake, Ill. |
| Retired emergency room nurse | Retired emergency room nurse |
| It was really hard to retire. Emergency medicine is a drug and it’s like withdrawing. We have the same camaraderie as cops and firefighters. | It was really hard to retire. Emergency medicine is a drug and it’s like withdrawing. We have the same camaraderie as cops and firefighters. |
| I think the reason I was so antsy to get back for this is because I’m still talking to the people that I worked with. They’re so overwhelmed and you just don’t want to see your friends get hammered without helping. And when you hear the reports on the E.R. Facebook group, “We have no masks. We’re wearing our masks for 12 hour shifts or days or until they start to deteriorate.” You feel like you abandoned them and you can’t do anything. | I think the reason I was so antsy to get back for this is because I’m still talking to the people that I worked with. They’re so overwhelmed and you just don’t want to see your friends get hammered without helping. And when you hear the reports on the E.R. Facebook group, “We have no masks. We’re wearing our masks for 12 hour shifts or days or until they start to deteriorate.” You feel like you abandoned them and you can’t do anything. |
| Even if I went back to the hospital, they would not put me in the E.R. because of my age. I’m allegedly higher risk. I told the director of public health here, “If you need any help, let me know.” She said, “Yeah, we need people on the phone.” That’s great. I can do something. | Even if I went back to the hospital, they would not put me in the E.R. because of my age. I’m allegedly higher risk. I told the director of public health here, “If you need any help, let me know.” She said, “Yeah, we need people on the phone.” That’s great. I can do something. |
| When we come into the call center, they check our temps and ask if we have symptoms. Everybody has a little cubicle and a phone with the latest information in front of them. Of course you wipe everything down. When I first started, the calls were mostly from physicians wanting to know if they could get patients tested. There have been a few people that I really worried about. You’re thinking, “Oh God, I hope this one doesn’t end up with a respiratory arrest in the middle of the night.” Of course you tell them, go to the E.R. if you can’t get your breath. | When we come into the call center, they check our temps and ask if we have symptoms. Everybody has a little cubicle and a phone with the latest information in front of them. Of course you wipe everything down. When I first started, the calls were mostly from physicians wanting to know if they could get patients tested. There have been a few people that I really worried about. You’re thinking, “Oh God, I hope this one doesn’t end up with a respiratory arrest in the middle of the night.” Of course you tell them, go to the E.R. if you can’t get your breath. |
| I feel like I’m able to do something. It’s not perfect. In my ideal world, I’d be back in the E.R. | I feel like I’m able to do something. It’s not perfect. In my ideal world, I’d be back in the E.R. |
| Carlsbad, Calif. | Carlsbad, Calif. |
| Retired family physician and embassy doctor in the Foreign Service | Retired family physician and embassy doctor in the Foreign Service |
| I retired about a year and a half ago and wanted to continue using my medical skills but in a volunteer capacity. So I joined lots of organizations. With the California Medical Assistance Team, I deployed last fall for the fires in California, providing medical care for the firefighters and taking care of people who were evacuated from their homes but had nowhere to go. | I retired about a year and a half ago and wanted to continue using my medical skills but in a volunteer capacity. So I joined lots of organizations. With the California Medical Assistance Team, I deployed last fall for the fires in California, providing medical care for the firefighters and taking care of people who were evacuated from their homes but had nowhere to go. |
| This came up and so I volunteered to help with the Covid patients. | This came up and so I volunteered to help with the Covid patients. |
| So far I’ve had two deployments with Covid. | So far I’ve had two deployments with Covid. |
| The first one was to a place called Asilomar, it’s a state park area in Monterey. We received patients from the Grand Princess. Some had no symptoms; one gentleman was on oxygen. We did that for about two weeks. Then we were deployed to our current location in San Mateo. | The first one was to a place called Asilomar, it’s a state park area in Monterey. We received patients from the Grand Princess. Some had no symptoms; one gentleman was on oxygen. We did that for about two weeks. Then we were deployed to our current location in San Mateo. |
| We’ve taken over a Holiday Inn. The County of San Mateo needed somebody to manage it medically. We came here and kind of started this from scratch. We’re here with the Army National Guard and the California National Guard. I’m serving as the medical director. | We’ve taken over a Holiday Inn. The County of San Mateo needed somebody to manage it medically. We came here and kind of started this from scratch. We’re here with the Army National Guard and the California National Guard. I’m serving as the medical director. |
| The hospitals need to deal with the acute patients. So we started receiving patients who are Covid positive and stable, they don’t need to be in a hospital setting, but they can’t go back to a nursing home or group home, or they can’t isolate from elderly family members or people who are immune-suppressed. | The hospitals need to deal with the acute patients. So we started receiving patients who are Covid positive and stable, they don’t need to be in a hospital setting, but they can’t go back to a nursing home or group home, or they can’t isolate from elderly family members or people who are immune-suppressed. |
| We have teams going in every two hours to take care of our current residents. It’s not just checking patients and temperatures; they’re changing diapers and moving them so they don’t get bed sores. So we’re there doing a lot of basic care. Everybody’s got to pitch in and do what’s needed for the patient. | We have teams going in every two hours to take care of our current residents. It’s not just checking patients and temperatures; they’re changing diapers and moving them so they don’t get bed sores. So we’re there doing a lot of basic care. Everybody’s got to pitch in and do what’s needed for the patient. |
| People are really scared that health providers can get this and become sick. It’s in the back of my mind, to be honest. I know I’m in a higher risk. But even the people who aren’t at higher risk, there are so many health care workers doing this, hundreds of thousands. I’m sure all their families are worried about what they’re doing. | People are really scared that health providers can get this and become sick. It’s in the back of my mind, to be honest. I know I’m in a higher risk. But even the people who aren’t at higher risk, there are so many health care workers doing this, hundreds of thousands. I’m sure all their families are worried about what they’re doing. |
| New York City | New York City |
| Semiretired nurse | Semiretired nurse |
| I’ve done just about everything you can think of in terms of nursing: surgery, neonatal intensive care unit, I.C.U., burn unit. I retired from Mount Sinai about seven years ago. | I’ve done just about everything you can think of in terms of nursing: surgery, neonatal intensive care unit, I.C.U., burn unit. I retired from Mount Sinai about seven years ago. |
| My motivation for being a volunteer is 9/11. At the time I was working in the surgical suite but I was off that day. I remember watching the Twin Towers and I said to my wife, “I need to go down to the hospital.” So I got there and everybody available was standing around waiting for the victims to arrive. And no one came. I’ll never forget that feeling of helplessness that we couldn’t do anything. | My motivation for being a volunteer is 9/11. At the time I was working in the surgical suite but I was off that day. I remember watching the Twin Towers and I said to my wife, “I need to go down to the hospital.” So I got there and everybody available was standing around waiting for the victims to arrive. And no one came. I’ll never forget that feeling of helplessness that we couldn’t do anything. |
| Now with this situation, at least I’m able to actually participate and try to help. I’m waiting for a facility in the Bronx seeking volunteers. | Now with this situation, at least I’m able to actually participate and try to help. I’m waiting for a facility in the Bronx seeking volunteers. |
| My wife is very concerned. If she had the choice, she would not let me out of the house. So it’s a difficult choice for me and it’s difficult for her to accept. | My wife is very concerned. If she had the choice, she would not let me out of the house. So it’s a difficult choice for me and it’s difficult for her to accept. |
| Updated June 2, 2020 | |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said. | More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said. |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| I’m thinking that they may put me in a less risky role because of my age. But because of my skills — I.C.U., isolation, ventilators — they could say, we need you. Of course I would be somewhat skeptical, anxious. It’s not just me, it’s also my wife, my children, my grandchildren. But it’s something that I would feel obligated to do because it’s the right thing to do. | I’m thinking that they may put me in a less risky role because of my age. But because of my skills — I.C.U., isolation, ventilators — they could say, we need you. Of course I would be somewhat skeptical, anxious. It’s not just me, it’s also my wife, my children, my grandchildren. But it’s something that I would feel obligated to do because it’s the right thing to do. |
| Chicago | Chicago |
| Semiretired internal medicine doctor | Semiretired internal medicine doctor |
| I had a private practice for 29 years. I closed my practice in 2018 and have been working part-time since. | I had a private practice for 29 years. I closed my practice in 2018 and have been working part-time since. |
| I’m in that risk group by age and I’ve got some chronic illnesses that affect the immune system. My husband is over 70 and also has a pre-existing condition that puts him at greater risk. So I feel like I have some responsibility for myself and for him. I am the last part of my immediate nuclear family, so if I got sick, I would truly be relying on others to care for me. I think that if I was younger and I didn’t have these other pre-existing conditions, I would probably feel like I’m in a better position to help in more ways. | I’m in that risk group by age and I’ve got some chronic illnesses that affect the immune system. My husband is over 70 and also has a pre-existing condition that puts him at greater risk. So I feel like I have some responsibility for myself and for him. I am the last part of my immediate nuclear family, so if I got sick, I would truly be relying on others to care for me. I think that if I was younger and I didn’t have these other pre-existing conditions, I would probably feel like I’m in a better position to help in more ways. |
| But I got emails from a private company saying that because of the Covid crisis, they need doctors for telehealth. At least with the telehealth, I feel like I am making a contribution, and lessening the burden for the health care professionals. I’m glad this opportunity is available now, whereas it wasn’t as available 10 or 15 years ago. | But I got emails from a private company saying that because of the Covid crisis, they need doctors for telehealth. At least with the telehealth, I feel like I am making a contribution, and lessening the burden for the health care professionals. I’m glad this opportunity is available now, whereas it wasn’t as available 10 or 15 years ago. |
| Greenwood Village, Colo. | Greenwood Village, Colo. |
| Retired psychiatrist | Retired psychiatrist |
| I was in private practice for about 45 years and retired about six years ago. | I was in private practice for about 45 years and retired about six years ago. |
| Like everyone else, I’ve been riveted to the news. Seeing the stress on physicians, especially in the hardest hit areas like New York, and recognizing there’s going to be a need for volunteer help from all kinds of health professionals, including physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and so on, it just seemed clear to me that if there was any way that I might be able to help, even in some limited way, I would be more than happy to do that. I feel an obligation to the public. | Like everyone else, I’ve been riveted to the news. Seeing the stress on physicians, especially in the hardest hit areas like New York, and recognizing there’s going to be a need for volunteer help from all kinds of health professionals, including physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and so on, it just seemed clear to me that if there was any way that I might be able to help, even in some limited way, I would be more than happy to do that. I feel an obligation to the public. |
| I think thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people, are undergoing extraordinary stress and anxiety. There might be some people who are in treatment for a psychiatric diagnosis, this might destabilize them possibly. And then there’s the broad swath of the population who are just afraid of what’s going to happen. So there might be an increase in anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, substance use disorders. I think those are the main things that are likely to happen and would be really sort of expected in a crisis of this kind. So, I could be available to try to help people through that. | I think thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people, are undergoing extraordinary stress and anxiety. There might be some people who are in treatment for a psychiatric diagnosis, this might destabilize them possibly. And then there’s the broad swath of the population who are just afraid of what’s going to happen. So there might be an increase in anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, substance use disorders. I think those are the main things that are likely to happen and would be really sort of expected in a crisis of this kind. So, I could be available to try to help people through that. |
| Salem, Ore. | Salem, Ore. |
| Retired physician assistant | Retired physician assistant |
| I retired from paid work as a P.A. in 2012. I was 65 at the time and I wanted to be able to devote more time to volunteer activities, including animal-assisted therapy, working with hospice clients and working as a lay chaplain. | I retired from paid work as a P.A. in 2012. I was 65 at the time and I wanted to be able to devote more time to volunteer activities, including animal-assisted therapy, working with hospice clients and working as a lay chaplain. |
| Because of my medical training, skills and experience, I would like to be useful during the pandemic here in my own community. And so, I contacted the local staff person for the Medical Reserve Corps in Marion County and asked how I could contribute without doing direct patient care. She encouraged me to take an online survey of potential volunteers. They determine who might be most valuable where and when. | Because of my medical training, skills and experience, I would like to be useful during the pandemic here in my own community. And so, I contacted the local staff person for the Medical Reserve Corps in Marion County and asked how I could contribute without doing direct patient care. She encouraged me to take an online survey of potential volunteers. They determine who might be most valuable where and when. |
| I also got an email from a former colleague telling me that our licensing board has put out a call for lapsed licensees to reactivate on an emergency and expedited basis. So I reached out to some of my colleagues at Kaiser who are still working. They said we need you and would strongly encourage you to do it because Kaiser is almost exclusively doing telemedicine right now. So I’m waiting to hear back. | I also got an email from a former colleague telling me that our licensing board has put out a call for lapsed licensees to reactivate on an emergency and expedited basis. So I reached out to some of my colleagues at Kaiser who are still working. They said we need you and would strongly encourage you to do it because Kaiser is almost exclusively doing telemedicine right now. So I’m waiting to hear back. |
| I need to feel like I’m helping in some way to feel a sense of worth. | I need to feel like I’m helping in some way to feel a sense of worth. |