Mere suspension without pay? Toss the book at the creeps. Jail time, too.
A sack of burning coals is an appropriate holiday bonus for the pair of cruel-hearted Emergency Medical Technicians who, allegedly, refused to help Eutisha Revee Rennix after the pregnant cafe worker collapsed at her MetroTech eatery, December 9, where the two were on a break and cavalierly suggested that her colleagues call 911 before walking out of the Au Bon Pain.
The 25-year-old later died at Long Island College Hospital, taking her unborn child with her to heaven, but leaving behind a toddler son, a twin brother serving his country in Kuwait, a sister and a grief-stricken mother who tapped the devil in the duo when she stated through her tears, “You are very inhuman; you don’t need to have a job like you do.”
No, indeed.
Beyond belief and now under investigation is why six-year veteran Jason Green and four-year veteran Melissa Jackson would ignore the cry for help which, as trained rescue workers, they were duty-bound to heed. Also unearthed should be why it took nearly two weeks for Green and Jackson’s appalling ethics to surface, as if a massive cover-up was underfoot.
District Attorney Charles Hynes should expend all his resources to defend and preserve Eutisha’s memory, and the integrity of New York City’s healthcare providers who do not need, nor warrant, the negative attention spawned by this horrendous case of human negligence.
Not even a rabid animal deserves to die as Eutisha did. I knew this well-mannered, good-natured and zesty young woman who tended to me each morning, transforming mundane moments into marvelous opportunities for human interaction. She single-handedly helped smooth the transition for me and my colleague, Erica Sherman, when we moved with our company from Sheepshead Bay to a brand new office in MetroTech nine months ago.
The crisp March morning fueled our first-day jitters, which were quickly dispelled by a guardian angel named Eutisha who sensed that we were new, and made every effort to welcome us and make us feel at ease in our new surroundings. Within moments, we were like the Three Muskateers.
It soon became apparent to us that Eutisha was the type of person who would give even the callous likes of Green and Jackson her last dollar, the shirt off her back and her dying breath. She uplifted the robotic daily grind of a busy coffee shop with her infectious sparkle. Green and Jackson must have been served by her on numerous occasions, and had they taken the time to celebrate this precious jewel they would have, at the very least, helped her in her dying moments.
Eutisha’s sweet soul will resonate always with those of us lucky enough to have been engaged by her, morning after morning, at that station of the working stiff: the morning coffee cash register. At that humble crossroads where the bonds of society are forged, or dismantled, she seemed proud to connect with her fellow human beings.
Before there was a Community Newspaper Group at MetroTech, there was Eutisha next door doing her part to make the world a better place. I will always see her smiling face wishing one and all a gracious “good morning, how are you?” followed by a ripple of pleasant banter, girlish giggles, more smiles, prompt attention to detail and finished by a snappy, “Have a great day, see you tomorrow.”
Rest in peace, Eutisha. Here’s looking forward to seeing you again, on the other side.
