The Health Reserve is tasked with responding to exceptional public health situations. With the coronavirus, we are clearly facing an exceptional public health situation that the existing healthcare system cannot handle. The Health Reserve was mobilized at the request of the Ministry of Solidarity and Health for two distinct missions: an information mission and a mission to receive individuals for whom reservists provide medical and psychological care. The strength of the Health Reserve lies in its pool of volunteer healthcare professionals who are committed and capable of analyzing and adapting to situations. From the very first alert, more than 700 reservists volunteered.

For the first mission, we decided to form three doctor-nurse teams that take turns covering the flight arrival times (4:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.).
To receive our citizens and monitor them during their 14-day quarantine, the teams consist of three doctors, three nurses, three psychologists, three public health specialists, one epidemiologist, and one mission leader. Sixty medical reservists work in shifts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at one site, while two doctors, two nurses, two psychologists, one epidemiologist, and one mission leader serve at the other site.
We prioritized reservists available for extended periods to ensure we have trained professionals and avoid overly frequent rotations. The teams consist of seasoned reservists and reservists who have never been on a mission before.
This type of experience inspires new vocations. Currently, one full-time staff member manages requests from healthcare professionals who wish to join the Medical Reserve.

First, the reservists were deployed to Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport, specifically to the terminals receiving flights from China. They were (and are) responsible for informing passengers as they disembarked, distributing informational materials on what to do, and directing suspected cases to appropriate care provided by the reservists.

For the second mission, reservists are responsible for receiving French nationals repatriated from Wuhan and providing them with medical monitoring during the 14-day quarantine period, which corresponds to the virus’s maximum incubation period. Specifically, they ensure that all quarantined individuals strictly follow the guidelines: wearing masks in common areas and having their temperature taken twice a day. Medical monitoring is ongoing and may cover the coronavirus as well as chronic conditions or general health issues. This also involves managing the supply and stock of medications for treatments in coordination with the Regional Health Agency.

At the back-office headquarters, a team of six people maintains constant communication with the coordinators and reservists and ensures that the mission runs as smoothly as possible.