A controversial TikTok clip has caught the attention of viewers on social media, raising a debate over how one should co-parent amid the coronavirus pandemic—especially when one parent is infected with the virus.
At the time of this writing, the video had generated over 1.7 views, 111,000 likes and 7,100 comments.
The conversation comes at a time when coronavirus cases, fueled by the highly contagious Omicron variant, are surging across the U.S. and globally. At the same time, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shortened its recommended isolation period from 10 to five days in cases where the infected individual is asymptomatic or has improving symptoms.
In his brief, 20-second video, TikTok user @lav6ix14 wrote simply: "I Told Her I Got Covid I Can't Get My Kids... Look What She Did."
The footage, filmed from inside a residence, shows a woman sneaking a small, toddler-aged child into the house via a window. Standing outside, she places the child on the floor.
The smiling kid walks over to the TikToker while the mom peeks in her head before leaving.
Viewers flocked to the comments section to share their reactions, which ranged from outrage to humor.
Some, for example, argued that if the mother had COVID-19, she might be expected to keep the child in her care, despite the infection.
"If the mom had [COVID] she would be expected to keep him," wrote @lightofthephoenix in a comment that was liked over 10,000 times.
"I've been with my daughter for 2 wks with [COVID]!" said @confilifecoaching, who recommended that the TikToker "put [his] mask on" and give some masks to his kids too.
"She probably had to go to work. Food, rent, electricity, water, clothes, [and] healthcare isn't free!!!!" noted @texasstuna. "Some people can't skip out on work! Do your part!"
"I've always had to keep my kids even if I'm sick," said @print_cessyamz. "The fact that people feel pity for the dad is pathetic."
Many viewers, however, had the opposite reaction, saying that COVID-19 exposure should be avoided at all costs.
"If he's sick and has [COVID] why would she even think to bring them back to him to possibly get the kids sick too?" asked @tinkamathepisces.
"Hell nah," echoed @jaylinmilligan. "Dad said he has [COVID]. My babies are not going over there. They will see you on FaceTime."
"When I got [COVID] my son stayed with his dad because he was already there," said @murdermittensinc. "Doesn't matter whose time it is. Why risk them getting sick if you have other options."
Others, meanwhile, questioned if the TikToker was actually infected. "This has to be a joke," said @deelicious67.
Whether the TikToker actually had the coronavirus remains unconfirmed. Newsweek reached out to @lav6ix14 for additional comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.
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