What Do Medical Experts Recommend in Terms Of Parents Who Work In Hospitals And Contact With Their Children Right Now? Orlando Divorce Lawyer
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What Do Medical Experts Recommend in Terms of Parents Who Work in Hospitals and Contact with Their Children Right Now?

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A number of doctors, first responders, and other healthcare workers who are divorced parents have been living on edge since things have escalated on a daily basis with the coronavirus, constantly worried that they could be subject to their child’s other parent seeking an emergency motion for sole custody due to concerns over their professions potentially exposing the child and others to the virus.

Sadly, that became a reality for one South Florida doctor in April, whose ex requested and received an emergency order demanding sole custody of their child until the pandemic is over. In the court order, the judge indicated that it was necessary and in the best interest of the child and their safety and welfare to suspend time sharing, solely due to the outbreak of the virus.

Living in Fear

While this particular doctor was able to appeal the decision and stay the court’s order, returning to their 50-50 set up while they await a final ruling, many others are living in constant fear right now that this could happen to them. While some families with parents working in healthcare have voluntarily chosen to separate and distance until the pandemic is over in order to err on the side of caution, if that is the case, it is a decision that both parents have made.

Recommendations from The American Medical Association On How Those Who Work in Healthcare Can Keep Their Families Safe from COVID-19

For a number of parents, an emergency order is especially surprising given that judges are not first speaking with them or medical experts about their actual work environment and what precautions are being taken to protect the child from getting the virus. In addition, there is always the mental and psychological well-being of the child to consider when suddenly and unexpectedly depriving them of one parent.

According to experts at the American Medical Association, it is not necessary to completely separate doctors, first responders, and others who work in healthcare fields from their families at this time. Instead, there are a number of preventative measures that can be taken – most of them at work – to help minimize the risk of exposure, which then protects one’s family as well, such as:

  • Making sure that any patients that come into the parent’s facility are screened right away for fever or respiratory disease
  • Making sure that healthcare workers have the right protection, including droplet protection, gowns, gloves, masks respirators, and N95 or higher respiratory protection
  • Minimizing patient contact as often as possible by allowing for healthcare workers to use telehealth or other electronic means to interact with patients when possible
  • Using engineering solutions such as intubation boxes as often as possible to decrease the risk of personnel coming into contact with infected secretions
  • Instructing workers to be meticulous about hand hygiene and not touching their face
  • Workers changing clothes before they enter their homes or as they arrive and putting them through the regular laundry
  • Workers washing their hands carefully as soon as they get home
  • Workers avoiding sharing toothbrushes, utensils, bowls, cups, and plates with family members

Contact Our Orlando Timesharing Lawyers with Any Questions

If you have any questions or concerns about timesharing in Florida at this time, our experienced Orlando divorce attorneys can help you achieve the best arrangement for you and your family. Contact us at the Arwani Law Firm, PLLC today for a free phone consultation.

Resources:

nbcmiami.com/news/local/coronavirus-concerns-lead-to-custody-battle-for-south-florida-doctor/2218466/

ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/how-doctors-can-keep-their-families-safe-after-providing-covid

nbcmiami.com/news/local/appeals-court-rules-in-favor-of-south-florida-doctor-in-custody-battle/2219955/

https://www.arwanilawfirm.com/how-will-the-pandemic-change-how-marital-assets-are-valued-in-divorce/

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