A doctor risking her life on the frontline to help patients suffering from coronavirus has lost custody of her child during the pandemic - because he ex says her job is a risk.
Dr Theresa Greene lost a custody fight with her former husband and now might not see her only daughter until after the outbreak is over.
The desperate mother, who lives in Florida, now faces having to choose between being able to hug her four-year-old daughter and saving lives.
Dr Greene told NBC Miami : “I was just shocked that the judge would take this stance without talking to medical experts and knowing the facts and take it so lightly, take my child from me and not think of the effect on her, her mental and psychological well-being.”
She said she usually shares custody with her daughter’s father, Eric Greene, but he filed for temporary sole custody when the pandemic hit.
He asked for and received an emergency order due “due to the mother’s significantly heightened exposure to Covid-19,” despite the fact Dr Greene has tested negative to the virus.
In his court order, Circuit Judge Bernard Shapiro wrote: “In order to protect the best interests of the minor child, including but not limited to the minor child’s safety and welfare, this Court temporarily suspends the Former Wife’s timesharing until further Order of Court. The suspension is solely related to the outbreak of Covid-19.”
Dr Greene, who is an emergency room physician, said she believes this discriminates against health care workers.
She said: “I know I’m not alone, first responders, nurses, so many people in this position who, because they’re divorced, their children are suffering and they're being told they can’t see them, and it’s just not fair.”
She said guidance from the American Medical Association’s position on the issue said frontline physicians should be able to go home to their families and to their children, as long as they take proper precautions.
Eric Greene’s attorney told the news sit it was not appropriate to comment on the case.
Dr Greene says she is now appealing the ruling.
She added: "I feel like the family court system now is stressing me almost more than the virus, I mean this is a very stressful time for healthcare professionals."
The state of Florida now has more than 438 deaths caused by coronavirus, and more than 18,000 cases.
A total of 2,528 people have been hospitalised due to the virus, according to figures from Florida’s Department of Health.
Tonight the total death toll in the US surpassed Italy and Spain.
The US now has more deaths due to coronavirus than any other country in the world.
