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Hospitals are asking retired doctors and nurses to come back and help with operations as they prepare for a rush of severe coronavirus cases, Axios’ Bob Herman reports.

The bottom line: Retired clinicians likely won’t be placed in intensive care units or coronavirus testing stations, because older adults are at higher risk of falling ill and dying from the virus. But they could help stabilize hospitals that will need as many hands on deck as possible over the coming months.

Where it stands: The Association of American Medical Colleges floated this idea last week with hospitals and federal agencies.

• “The question is: How can we bring people up to speed and bring them in?” said Janis Orlowski, a physician and executive at the AAMC. “They will … [likely] backfill in areas where it’s not direct patient care.”

What they’re saying: Some retired clinicians are willing to take on other necessary care, while residents and other doctors funnel into coronavirus cases.

By the numbers: 41% of doctors are 55 or older, according to American Medical Association data provided to Axios, and 38% of nurses are 55 or older.

• Health care workers already skew older than the American populace, so they will need as much support as possible — especially if they get sick.