NORTHRIDGE, CA - The United States travel restrictions prevent new exposure to the virus, but it also is affecting the supply of foreign health care workers that could help hospitals around the country.
(Credit, Omnia Health)
Government officials have closed several agencies all over the US to slow down the spread of the coronavirus. This has created roadblocks for foreign health care workers who want to help but can't due to the difficulty of securing appointments for visas. If they can obtain a work visa the travel restrictions imposed by President Trump won't allow them to travel into the country.
This situation has left many hospitals across the nation to struggle from battling the coronavirus pandemic, with many doctors and nurses falling ill fighting the virus. This has created a demand for health care workers all over the country, especially hot spots like New York and Los Angels.
(Credit, Matthew Cavanaugh / Getty Images)
According to an article by The New York Times, New York's governor, Andrew Cuomo has asked health care professionals around the country to help his city if their communities don't have a health crisis.
Another issue foreign medical staff who are working in the country is the restriction of their work visas. Many can't leave the state they work for to help cities dealing with mass numbers of coronavirus patients.
The State Department issued guidance late last month calling for foreign medical professionals with approved visas or certificates of eligibility for exchange visitor programs to make appointments at their nearest embassy to expedite processing. Despite the guidelines, those working to get people overseas to help fight the pandemic have criticized the lack of coordination between government agencies.
The lack of communication and action by the federal government has led to many governors act on their own to help their suffering cities. Some have asked retired professionals to come back and help fight the pandemic and also requested medical schools to allow students to graduate ahead of schedule to fight the pandemic.
By, Luis Miron
Contributions from The New York Times
Photo, USCIS homepage, Omnia Health
Audio, Luis Miron
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