NPR

In Self-Isolation, A Doctor Deepens His Connection To His Family

To protect his wife and four children, Dr. Roberto Vargas, who processes COVID-19 tests in Rochester, N.Y., is staying in their basement. "What carries me through is this family," he tells them.
During a remote StoryCorps conversation this month from Stafford, N.Y., Dr. Roberto Vargas (left), his wife, Susan, and 10-year-old son, Xavier, talk about the challenges of staying safely distanced.

Since the coronavirus pandemic hit New York, Dr. Roberto Vargas has been working long hours, running labs that do COVID-19 testing in Rochester.

To minimize his family's risk of exposure, Roberto has been isolating himself from his wife, Susan, and their four kids since March.

For two weeks, Roberto stayed at a hotel near Rochester Regional Hospital, where he works as

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