An ER doctor loses custody of daughter because of coronavirus fears

[Cornell]

@TravelTime the amount of fear , and I would go as far to say hysteria, is off-the-charts.

 

[TravelTime]

@TravelTime the amount of fear , and I would go as far to say hysteria, is off-the-charts.

Yes, I agree. I have never seen so much mass fear in my life.

 

[am1]

Yes, so by that logic, all front line workers should live separate from their families. Then we will have no one to work the front lines and more people will die.

The smart ones are staying away from their family. I have suggested this from the beginning. Maybe visits somehow through plexiglass? t is the new reality at the moment.

 

[WVBaker]

The smart ones are staying away from their family. I have suggested this from the beginning. Maybe visits somehow through plexiglass? t is the new reality at the moment.

It's sad that you could look into a Mother's eyes and tell her we're taking your child for something that "may" happen. And just where and when does it stop?

 

[am1]

It's sad that you could look into a Mother's eyes and tell her we're taking your child for something that "may" happen. And just where and when does it stop?

Sad but at this moment in time the father could be providing the better home situation. Not easy but nothing is at the moment.

 

[Cornell]

@am1 what if both parents are doctors? Should the state take the kids because it’s “safer” ?

 

[vacationhopeful]

My siblings have decided I need to STAY at home. ALONE. Period. I have at least 2 major health issues and live In New Jersey. My siblings live 100 to 3000 miles from me. I am single. I went grocery shopping Wednesday last week (Senior Hours ONLY) and stocked up for a month plus. I wore my face mask and vinyl gloves. Changed & washed my clothes and showered afterwards.

My younger Texas sister decided I needed MORE Cable channels …. and added many more channels onto my cable account bill without asking. She is just looking out for me … not wanting me to be TOO isolated. And I figure being a TV junkie is better than overeating. And I was NOT interested in calling her out on this.

My siblings fear for my safety and their sanity …. NONE of them want to even try to take over my business if something happens to me. And my "Man Friday" of 20+ years …. he definitely does NOT want me sick … he does the heavy lifting work … I do the paper work and planning. (and my other siblings live in California, Nebraska and Maryland).

 

[Talent312]

... My nephew is a firefighter and he is still working. He goes home every day to his wife and kids. Is he being unsafe? Is he putting his kids at risk?

From what I've read, he should, at a minimum, shed his clothes and shower, before any contact,
and yes, unless he's been tested, they are at greater risk than others. These are unusual times.

 

[TravelTime]

From what I've read, he should, at a minimum, shed his clothes and shower, before any contact,
and yes, unless he's tested, they are at greater risk than others. These are unusual times.

He is doing everything recommended to keep his family safe. Shouldn’t we assume the same of the ER doctor? I totally understand your opinion of front line workers keeping their families safe. I agree with that. This particular article was about divorced parents losing their kids because maybe they could get sick. Then I wonder why front line workers who are married are allowed to go home.

 

[WVBaker]

Sad but at this moment in time the father could be providing the better home situation. Not easy but nothing is at the moment.

We need to control our anxiety and worry. Anxiety and worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you very far. Trust me, the influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation.

"Don’t believe every worried thought you have. Worried thoughts are notoriously inaccurate.”
Renee Jain

 

[VacationForever]

My siblings have decided I need to STAY at home. ALONE. Period. I have at least 2 major health issues and live In New Jersey. My siblings live 100 to 3000 miles from me. I am single. I went grocery shopping Wednesday last week (Senior Hours ONLY) and stocked up for a month plus. I wore my face mask and vinyl gloves. Changed & washed my clothes and showered afterwards.

My younger Texas sister decided I needed MORE Cable channels …. and added many more channels onto my cable account bill without asking. She is just looking out for me … not wanting me to be TOO isolated. And I figure being a TV junkie is better than overeating. And I was NOT interested in calling her out on this.

My siblings fear for my safety and their sanity …. NONE of them want to even try to take over my business if something happens to me. And my "Man Friday" of 20+ years …. he definitely does NOT want me sick … he does the heavy lifting work … I do the paper work and planning. (and my other siblings live in California, Nebraska and Maryland).

You must appreciate all the fuss from your siblings. They are showing you that they love you.

 

[am1]

In regards to both parents being a doctors/front line workers then comes down to a balance of interest. The state cannot take control of all kids nor would that be in their best interest. But a parent I would agree with.

 

[Monykalyn]

Its about keeping the kids safer. Nothing more. Anyone in NYC working the front lines is putting their family at risk anytime they go home.

@TravelTime the amount of fear , and I would go as far to say hysteria, is off-the-charts.

Mass hysteria whipped up by click bait headlines that most don't bother to read the full article, let alone the supposed sources the article quotes. Bottom line the scientists/specialists are guessing on many things. And if the study doesn't bear out their prejudices then they ignore it. EVERY study/article I have been able to find postulate "airborne" transmission for example, but not a single one says if virus is viable, nor are any conducted in real world conditions-especially outside. An example of very mixed results on cloth "homemade" masks. Note the uncertainty https://www.livescience.com/are-face-masks-effective-reducing-coronavirus-spread.html Yet we are making policy based on sketchy evidence and thinking "its better than nothing" when that may not actually be the case.


So those who think this is ok-where does it stop? Arresting and seizing kids if a parent dares to step outside without a mask? or HORRORS goes to a store without a mask (I'm not sure a government can actually make a law requiring this-you penalize those with kids, breathing issues who wear oxygen, and economically challenged who may not afford separate masks, homeless etc). What about the grocery worker who has a co-worker test positive? Do ALL the employees then lose kids "for the greater good and to keep them safe"? or just the single ones? I am and will continue to be absolutely amazed who are A-OK with civil liberties disappearing left and right because they think "it" won't affect them...

 

[Cornell]

@Monykalyn I’m with you 100%. I’m much more fearful about the loss of liberty right now than the virus itself.

 

[Luanne]

@Monykalyn I’m with you 100%. I’m much more fearful about the loss of liberty right now than the virus itself.

Until you, or someone you love, gets the virus. I've had two friends so far lose family members to it. I'm tending to lean towards loss of liberty over loss of life.

 

[Cornell]

@Luanne I would argue that some of the of gov't overreach we are seeing isn't saving any lives.

 

[Luanne]

@Luanne I would argue that some of the of gov't overreach we are seeing isn't saving any lives.

I would agree with you. But which is, and which isn't? I think some of the government overreach comes from people not being sensible so rules and polices get put into place. I'm not sure what risks I'm willing to take.

 

[Monykalyn]

Until you, or someone you love, gets the virus. I've had two friends so far lose family members to it. I'm tending to lean towards loss of liberty over loss of life.

And where does it end? Flu is usually deadlier to kids-should the kids be removed during flu season? 125 kid deaths from flu vs 6 from CV-19. Every life is precious, but I guess not with the "devil you know"...Should teachers no longer have kids of their own-after all they are exposed to those lil germ factories daily. No more daycare centers either-the person running it may possibly at some time have a contagion at some point may harm a child. See how ridiculous this gets?

 

[Luanne]

And where does it end? Flu is usually deadlier to kids-should the kids be removed during flu season? 125 kid deaths from flu vs 6 from CV-19. Every life is precious, but I guess not with the "devil you know"...Should teachers no longer have kids of their own-after all they are exposed to those lil germ factories daily. No more daycare centers either-the person running it may possibly at some time have a contagion at some point may harm a child. See how ridiculous this gets?

Yes, it is getting ridiculous and I'm sorry that I expressed my opinion.

 

[Monykalyn]

Yes, it is getting ridiculous and I'm sorry that I expressed my opinion.

please don't be sorry! But do be aware of losing civil liberties-sooner or later it will come for you too. Well wishes to you

 

[Sapper]

I’m going to both steer the conversation back to the original topic as it has slipped down a slope and irritate some folks at the same time.

Medical professionals I know who have direct contact with COVID/Corona virus positive patients are self isolating from their families. The reason you are not hearing about married parents having their children “taken away” (which is not happening in this instance btw) is because the parents are agreeing for the non exposed parent to be the caregiver to the child. Divorced parents are doing the same thing. The father was right to fight this, the court agreed the father is the safer option at this point in time. It also sounds like the agreement to balance time missed with the child during this situation with additional time later is fair.

Further, the doctor stating that medical workers with contact are at the same risk as the general public is incorrect. She either understands this and is lying to help her side of the story or is ignorant in her profession to the point of negligence. If lying, it shows her character. If ignorant, then she is creating a dangerous situation for her child. Either way, right now, the child is safer with the father.

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/covid-19-hits-doctors-nurses-emts-threatening-health-system/2020/03/17/f21147e8-67aa-11ea-b313-df458622c2cc_story.html

 

[pedro47]

My siblings have decided I need to STAY at home. ALONE. Period. I have at least 2 major health issues and live In New Jersey. My siblings live 100 to 3000 miles from me. I am single. I went grocery shopping Wednesday last week (Senior Hours ONLY) and stocked up for a month plus. I wore my face mask and vinyl gloves. Changed & washed my clothes and showered afterwards.

My younger Texas sister decided I needed MORE Cable channels …. and added many more channels onto my cable account bill without asking. She is just looking out for me … not wanting me to be TOO isolated. And I figure being a TV junkie is better than overeating. And I was NOT interested in calling her out on this.

My siblings fear for my safety and their sanity …. NONE of them want to even try to take over my business if something happens to me. And my "Man Friday" of 20+ years …. he definitely does NOT want me sick … he does the heavy lifting work … I do the paper work and planning. (and my other siblings live in California, Nebraska and Maryland).

Please let some one know how to run your business just in case of an emergency incident. Please give someone medical power of attorney and power of attorney to run your business and to access your bank accounts to pay your bills and employees. IMO.

 

[Luanne]

please don't be sorry! But do be aware of losing civil liberties-sooner or later it will come for you too. Well wishes to you

You didn't need to respond.

 

[TravelTime]

The American Medical Association says:

Stay with your family
It might also be appropriate to “do a bit of judicious social distancing,” however, it is important not to “separate ourselves completely from our families,” said Dr. Rupp. “That’s just not something that’s necessary, nor do I think it is healthy for people’s mental health.”

During these hard times, a physician’s family is key to maintaining optimal mental health while facing the uncertainty of COVID-19 at hospitals, health systems or small practices. Learn about six ways to address physician stress during COVID-19 pandemic.

“Some of these emotional supports that people need and require are very important, and if we get into a situation where we're expecting health care providers to come to work and then go home and be isolated,” said Dr. Rupp. “That is not going to be a healthy situation for anybody.”

“We’re all in this together, and we will get through this together,” Dr. Rupp said. “If we do the right thing over the coming weeks, we will be able to weather this storm.”

How doctors can keep their families safe after providing COVID-19 care

One of the nation’s most distinguished infection-control experts advises physicians on how to minimize the risk for their loved ones.

www.ama-assn.org

I suspect this mother will get the court ruling overturned.

 

[Jan M.]

This was on our news tonight as she's an ER doctor in Miami. We live in Broward County so our TV stations are out of Miami. For those of you who may not be aware our area is being hit hard with COVID-19. Our nightly news here for weeks now has featured medical personnel talking about missing being able to be with their children and families but their priority is keeping them safe. Every night on the news we see some of those medical personnel talking about how they stay in touch with their kids and families via phone calls, video calls, Skype or conversations standing outside a window or door. I've seen the posts on Facebook and segments on the news showing medical personnel sleeping in tents in their own garages to protect their families.

Given what she does and where, her response isn't rational. Both my husband and I are saying what is wrong with her! If either my husband or I were employed in the medical field, especially in a high risk area or where we were coming in contact with people who were potentially infected, we would be doing the utmost to protect our son and each other even if we were exes. How awful would it be if she brought it home to her daughter and her daughter gave it to her ex. Not only could her daughter be left an orphan but also there is also the psychological impact on that child to consider. Neither is something no parent who loves their child would want for them.

Is it possible the mother/doctor will have to pay child support to her ex that she doesn't want to have to pay? Miami can be an expensive place to live. Is she concerned that her daughter will become too attached to living with one parent full time? Is her ex remarried and has a wife and other even younger children he may be rightfully worried about and is that an issue for her? Is her whole life built around her work and her daughter and she isn't dealing well with losing one of the two foundations of her life?