Dear Honorable Legislator,
We are concerned by
recent media coverage
of health care workers being temporarily separated from their children by judges in the courtroom, solely because of their profession.
Exposure to COVID-19 does not constitute reason to separate families during this pandemic.
In fact, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) issued a position statement on "
Family Visitations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
," which states:
Emergency physicians, along with emergency nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses and others, are the front line in this pandemic. But they are also human beings, who need and deserve the comfort of their families when they are off duty.
Emergency physicians are trained in proper precautions to significantly reduce the risk to themselves, as well as their families. ACEP requests that the pandemic and the work that our colleagues are doing should not be a factor in custody or visitation disputes.
You may read more from Dr. William Jaquis, ACEP President, in
a statement released today
. We, too, stand in solidarity with any health worker who is in this heartbreaking position.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kristin McCabe-Kline
President, Florida College of Emergency Physicians
on behalf of over 2,000 emergency physicians in Florida
