N.Y. and Colorado ask former healthcare workers to return to workforce

Former health care workers in New York State and Colorado are being asked to return to the workforce to help health systems under pressure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said that having health care facilities well-staffed is "just as important" as ensuring those facilities have enough equipment and tests. Colorado Governor Jared Polis said he is "particularly concerned" about how the coronavirus will affect health care workers "who are already being put to the test," CBS News reported.

Former health care workers include anyone who is currently working in another occupation or is retired, but whose medical license is still active or can be reactivated, Polis said.

New York is asking former doctors and nurses to "reconnect" with their past employers to create a reserve workforce of health care professionals who are "on call" for the coronavirus response, Cuomo said.