Covid-19
Charley Winter, Bio 12
By: Jennifer Herseim
The fear of bringing the virus home to loved ones has pushed many frontline healthcare workers out of their homes and apartments.
“It’s not uncommon for people in our situation to have separate living arrangements. That’s something we have to deal with added on to the acuity of the cases we’re dealing with at work,” says Charley Winter, Bio 12.
Winter, who is an anesthesiologist assistant, hasn’t been back to his apartment that he shares with two roommates in downtown Atlanta since the pandemic began. He’s currently living in a spare bedroom and using a spare bathroom on the opposite end of his girlfriend’s apartment.
Winter works in private practice with Physicians Specialists in Anesthesiology, which contracts with Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital.
His team is working with Covid-19 patients and those suspected of having the disease. He’s been amazed at the support for healthcare workers from the local community, including donations of personal protective equipment. Some members of his practice have received 3D-printed face shields from Georgia Tech engineering students.
“That’s been incredible. Tech students helping out Tech alumni,” Winter says.
Winter says he and his team are doing well under the circumstances. “We have open communication on a daily basis about patients, the numbers are stabilizing, and testing is speeding up,” he says.
His practice group, which was split into two teams for safety, has been meeting virtually for weekly check-ins.
“It’s hard not to bring all the stories with you when you come home,” he says. “So, it’s nice to talk with other members of our practice to get feedback and personal counseling. I’ve been doing ok, but I don’t have the same exposure that others have had.”