Which ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Doctor Is Most Prepared For Coronavirus Pandemic?

“Grey’s Anatomy” Season 17 has determined that COVID-19 will be addressed in the new episodes. Showrunner Krista Vernoff revealed the ABC drama’s direction for next season, and she explained that one character is better prepared for the coronavirus pandemic than his fellow docs on the ABC drama.

Vernoff explained that the writers are having their yearly chats with real-life doctors for inspiration, but this year “felt more like therapy” as the frontline workers have been fighting the global health crisis.

“They are literally shaking and trying not to cry, they’re pale, and they’re talking about it as war — a war that they were not trained for,” Vernoff said in a Television Academy panel, according to Entertainment Weekly. “And that’s been one of our big conversations about Owen, is that he’s actually trained for this in a way that most of the other doctors aren’t.”

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Owen Hunt, as “Grey’s Anatomy” fans will remember, is a former Army doctor, as is Kim Raver’s Teddy Altman. They’re trained in how to make fast decisions and immediately decide which patients should get treated first and who is beyond help. That kind of intense decision making will likely play into “Grey’s Anatomy” Season 17.

Of course, “Grey’s Anatomy” isn’t just about saving lives. Romance is a huge factor, and comic relief is always necessary. Vernoff added that the writers are trying to find the balance.

“Our conversations have been constantly about how do we keep alive humor and romance while we tell these really painful stories,” she said.

The full Television Academy panel, called “Quaranstreaming: Comfort TV That Keeps Us Going,” will be available Tuesday at 8 p.m. EDT on Emmys.com.

Though “Grey’s Anatomy” has a plan, there’s still no sign of when new episodes can be expected. The pandemic is keeping many Hollywood productions on hold. When filming stopped, “Grey’s Anatomy” and spinoff “Station 19” both donated PPE that was on set to local frontline workers.