Notice how even with the current global situation, people are still finding ways to be kind to others, even more so than usual. We’re all in this mess together, so it makes sense that we continue to uplift and support one another. This way, we can get through this crisis quicker and all come up stronger on the other side.
Minnesota trooper, Brian Schwartz, was definitely the description of kind on March 21, 2020. He was just doing his job that day when he pulled over Dr. Sarosh Ashraf Janjua, a cardiologist working at a Duluth quarantine unit, for speeding. But instead of presenting her with a ticket, he gave her a stern warning along with five N95 medical masks.
“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,” Janjua said in a Facebook post. “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.”
What the trooper did might seem like “nothing,” but to the cardiologist, it meant everything to her.
“I think we are all just hanging on to something that makes us feel safe,” Janjua said to CNN. “Somehow, for Americans, that something has become N95 masks and toilet paper. Trooper Schwartz’ act of kindness became my something.”
According to the Minnesota State Patrol officer, he decided to give her the masks when he saw “what appeared to be two used N95 masks in Ashraf’s purse that he assumed she was reusing.”
Offering her wrapped, unused masks was the least he felt he could do to make things easier for the medical professional who would otherwise be struggling to find replacement masks. In addition, by providing her clean medical masks, he would be helping her reduce the spread of the virus while at work. It was Schwartz’s way of giving back to both the doctor for her hard work as well as to his community to keep everyone as safe as possible.
The entire state patrol even gave a public thank you to the doctor.
“Thank you to Sarosh for her hard work and dedication,” Minnesota State Patrol said on Facebook. “Troopers are working hard during the pandemic and are thinking about all the first responders who are caring for Minnesotans during this critical time.”
Listen to the video version of this heartfelt new story below.
