I read Eshaan Vakil’s July 16 guest column, “Volunteer contact tracers would help Nevada contend with crisis,” with interest. I think it is a great idea.
As a retired physician with significant risk factors for COVID-19, I wanted to help without exposing myself to the risks involved with direct patient contact. Discovering the Johns Hopkins online contact-tracing course, I got myself certified as a contact tracer and tried to make myself available. I emailed the Southern Nevada Health District. I was told that they do not need any more contact tracers, but I could volunteer for hands-on clinical care. No thank you.
I contacted my congressional representative’s office and was referred to the same site that had just rejected me. I tried the old-fashioned way — a phone call to the health district. I was referred to a different way to contact it. A week later, I am still awaiting a response.
Vakil opined that “harnessing young people’s enthusiasm” could be a key to taming this virus. I’d guess that there are many retired health care professionals who would be more than willing to bring their experience and expertise, as well as enthusiasm, to the fight. But someone has to open the door and invite us in.