It’s not easy when someone at your workplace tests positive for COVID-19 and your job is to take care of him. Not everyone raises their hand for that.
At a BCArc home in Pittsfield, a team of five quickly came swooping in to care and protect the four individuals. Anthony Monterosso, Delroy Leard, Joachim Kouassi, Brittany Gresser and Caitlin King-Hayes were assembled together for the first time. Made up of relief workers, day habilitation staff, and residential support, they seamlessly worked around the clock during the quarantine period covering all shifts, preparing every meal, administrating all medicines, monitoring everyone’s health, while keeping all individuals and staff safe. Call them quarantine experts now.
Caitlin, left, with Brittany.
From left, Joachim, Delroy, and Tony
“If it were our family that came home with that positive diagnosis, we wouldn’t hesitate to do all that we could to help them and keep them comfortable,” said Joachim.
“We put our gloves and gowns on, we strapped a mask around our faces, washed our hands until they’re dry as a bone and took care of our friends,” said Delroy. “It was simple.”
“Both Brittany and Caitlin worked five days a week, 8 to 3:30, as if they were still working their day programs, didn’t miss a beat, helped out at every level as if business as usual,” said supervisor Jamie Sigoski. “They were amazing.”
Already working overnight shifts, Anthony sheltered in for two weeks, figuring the smartest way to help was to go all-in. ‘I’m new here, but it didn’t take long for everyone to feel like family to me. I’m proud we all helped as a team, and we all came out healthy. ”
“Some of us were worried that he’d go to the hospital by himself and have no one,” said Norma, who also helped out managing the situation. “We were prepared to go with him, fortunately we didn’t have to.” She continued: “Everything we touched we disinfected constantly – keys, phone, clicker, door knobs. The individual with the virus was more amazing than any of us – he had some aches and pain in his throat, but he was great. Once he got his appetite back, I knew he was going to be fine.”
With symptoms gone for two weeks, the Department of Public Health lifted the quarantine. “Their positive attitudes is more catchy than the virus,” Jamie said. “It rubs off on anyone who gets near them, and makes you optimistic.”
