Heartbroken Scots parents have chosen to send their young children to live with relatives for the duration of the coronavirus crisis so they can keep working as doctors for the NHS.
Doctors Beci and Lewis McNicol, from Dundee, made the difficult decision to send their young children away to isolate them with other family members.
The doting mum and dad are working round the clock as the killer virus sweeps across Scotland.
Lewis opened up about 'the most difficult decision of their lives' on social media.
Distraught dad, Lewis shared their tragic story in a desperate bid to convey how serious coronavirus is and plea with others to help stop the spread.
On Mother's Day Lewis wrote on Facebook: "My wife Beci and I are both NHS doctors.
"In order to facilitate the working of extra shifts and intensive working hours to fight the battle on covid we also had to consider childcare for our young family.
"To keep them safe with people they are familiar with, since we wont be around for nursery pick ups and nights etc, we have had to make the most difficult and heartbreaking decision of our lives.
"This decision is to isolate our children with other family members who we cannot go near for their safety.
"This will mean not seeing our children for the rest of this pandemic."
Lewis urged Scots to not treat the pandemic as a 'holiday'.
He added: "If we can make this sacrifice surely it’s not too much to ask people to STAY AT HOME.
"It’s not the flu, it’s not a joke, it’s not a holiday and it will bring the NHS beyond it’s knees, yet people are still out and about and not social distancing or isolating.
"Help us all by sitting on your sofa and FaceTiming- it’s not a lot to ask in the grand scheme of things."
In less than 12 hours Lewis hard-hitting post has been shared over 4,000 times with saddened Scots reaching out to the McNicols in their droves.
One commented: A tough choice for you both.
"My partner is in the NHS, nobody realises the magnitude of this and how their actions now will help or hinder with recovery."
Another wrote:"This has just brought tears to my eyes.
"I don't know you both but you are true heroes, thank you."
A third added: "My heart breaks for you selfless people putting yourself at risk everyday to help others and not have the comfort of your family life on your time off.
"You are true heroes, stay safe."
NHS Tayside did not want to comment.
Ten Scots have died from coronavirus while 416 have tested positive.
To keep up to date follow or Coronavirus in Scotland live blog.
