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Doctor left in tears after state trooper who pulled her over for speeding gave her his masks instead of ticket

The Minnesota State Patrol said Brian Schwartz felt compelled to give the doctor his masks after noticing "what appeared to be two used N95 masks in Ashraf's purse that he assumed she was reusing" 
PUBLISHED MAR 31, 2020
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

DULUTH, MINNESOTA: A doctor was left in tears after a Minnesota trooper who pulled her over for speeding gave her his supply of N95 masks instead of writing her up.

Dr. Sarosh Ashraf Janjua, a cardiologist at a coronavirus quarantine unit in Duluth, was pulled over on the I-35 by Trooper Brian Schwartz for speeding on Saturday, March 21, and was expecting to pay a fine for her infraction.

Taking to Facebook, Janjua shared that Schwartz first asked her what she was doing all the way in Minnesota considering how she had a Massachusetts driver's license.

When she explained that she traveled to the state every month for her work as a locums cardiologist, Schwartz reportedly went to look up her license and then returned to tell her it was very "irresponsible" of her to be speeding.

She said he told her that not only would she take up resources if she got into an accident, but that she would also be put in a position where she would not be able to help patients in healthcare system that is already overburdened with coronavirus patients.

Janjua revealed she felt "thoroughly chastised" and waited for him to write a ticket, but was surprised and moved by what came after.

"Feeling thoroughly chastised, I waited for him to write me a ticket. Instead, he told me he was going to let me off with a warning," she wrote. "As I sputtered to apologize and say thank you, he reached in to hand me what I assumed was my license back."

"It wasn’t until my hand had closed around what he was giving me that its unexpected bulkiness drew my eyes to it," she continued. "Five N95 masks, from the supply the state had given him for his protection."

"I burst into tears. And though it may just have been the cold wind, I think he teared up a little as well, before wishing me well and walking away."

In a statement to CNN, the Minnesota State Patrol said Schwartz felt compelled to give the doctor his masks after noticing "what appeared to be two used N95 masks in Ashraf's purse that he assumed she was reusing." 

The US has the highest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide with over 160,000 cases and Janjua explained in her post that, she, like many other healthcare professionals, had been worried about not having protective equipment.

"Like all healthcare workers and emergency responders around the world, I have felt afraid of not having adequate protective equipment, and in my darkest moments, have worried about what would happen if I fell sick far from home," she wrote.

"This complete stranger, who owed me nothing and is more on the front lines than I am, shared his precious masks with me, without my even asking. The veil of civilization may be thin, but not all that lies behind it is savage. We are going to be ok."

"I think we are all just hanging on to something that makes us feel safe. Somehow, for Americans, that something has become N95 masks and toilet paper. Trooper Schwartz' act of kindness became my something," Janjua told CNN.


 

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