This ER Doctor Lost Custody Of Her Daughter During The Coronavirus
As a parent with split custody, we’ve had to do some finagling with the schedule during this whole pandemic. I am very lucky that my ex-husband and I both have households where everyone works from home, so we aren’t having to worry too much.
But what about first responders and essential workers with split custody? How is the lockdown effecting custody?
Well, for this ER doctor in Florida, she actually lost custody of her child temporarily while she takes care of Covid patients every day.
A judge in Floride ruled that her child should stay with her father to limit the risk of exposure.
“The Court does not enter this Order lightly but given the pandemic in Florida and the recent increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases, the Court finds in order to insulate and protect the best interests and health of the minor child, this Order must be entered on a temporary basis,” wrote the judge in the ruling.
This brings up a really interesting issue, because here’s the thing– nobody denies that these doctors are heroes, that they are risking their lives to take care of the sick, but if given the opportunity to keep their children safe from this pandemic, should they?
“We recognize and genuinely appreciate the sacrifices that she and all healthcare workers are all currently making to save lives and prevent further illness in Florida and around the world. The Greenes’ temporary timesharing dispute was presented before the Court based upon the specific facts of this individual family and a decision was reached based upon the best interests and safety of a minor child, limited to the temporary circumstances presented by COVID-19. The Court’s ruling was not intended to serve as a blanket rule, nor should it. Pursuant to Mr. Greene’s request and as ordered by the Court, Dr. Greene is to be provided future make-up timesharing for each day missed during this challenging time and daily video communication with the child. We will continue to pursue ways to resolve this delicate situation and believe that a result can be achieved safely and fairly,” the judge wrote.
One of the interesting points that she brought up in her interview with CNN was that she believes the risk is minimal to the child. So, the question then becomes, is it about the child getting Coronavirus, or is it about the child spreading the disease?
This is a whole new discussion we need to have, can courts rule that their parents, the caregivers and the essential workers keeping our communities safe or, in fact, not safe for their children to be around?
And, when does this end? Who decides when they are safe again?
