Trooper pulls doctor over for speeding, gives her N95 medical masks instead

DULUTH, Minn. (WDAF) -- A Minnesota state trooper turned a potential speeding ticket into a heartwarming act of kindness.

Dr. Sarosh Ashraf Janjua, a cardiologist at a coronavirus quarantine unit in Duluth, was pulled over by Trooper Brian Schwartz for speeding on March 21.

Instead of a ticket, he gave her a firm warning against speeding -- and then Schwartz handed Janjua five N95 masks to use for protection.

Schwartz noticed “what appeared to be two used N95 masks in Ashraf's purse that he assumed she was reusing,” according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

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The N95 respirator masks that health care workers need to protect themselves while treating coronavirus patients are in dangerously short supply. Physicians are being forced to wear used masks, risking infection when they care for patients.

“Thank you to Sarosh for her hard work and dedication,” the 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.”