An Oregon Nurse Was Placed On Leave For Dismissing COVID Restrictions In A TikTok

 

A hospital in Salem, Oregon, said Saturday that it has placed an oncology nurse on administrative leave after she posted a TikTok suggesting that she was flouting basic COVID-19 prevention guidelines like wearing a mask and social distancing.

The TikTok by user @Loveiskind05, which has since been deleted, shows the woman wearing scrubs and a stethoscope, with the caption, "When my coworkers find out I still travel, don't wear a mask when I'm out and let my kids have play dates."

The caption flies in the face of guidelines from the CDC that advocates reducing travel, wearing a mask around other people when social distancing is difficult, and avoiding get-togethers with people outside your household.

A duet of the video by another TikTok user criticizing the nurse remains online.

@amandabutcher2

To each their own, but why would you brag about it to others? 🤦🏻‍♀️ I guess we could ask Loveiskind05 #nurse #covid #health #pandemic #fyp #foryou

♬ original sound - Amanda Butcher

After numerous people identified the nurse as an employee of Salem Health and left critical Facebook comments alerting them about her TikTok, the hospital announced Saturday that the nurse had been "placed on administrative leave pending an investigation."

A spokesperson for Salem Health told BuzzFeed News on Sunday that the nurse's name was Ashley Grames and that she worked in the oncology department.

In a statement on Facebook, Salem Health did not provide details about the TikTok, but confirmed that one of their nurses had posted a video on social media displaying her "indifference" to wearing masks outside of work and social distancing.

The hospital also thanked community members for bringing the video to their attention.

Many of the comments on Salem Health's Facebook page said it was reprehensible for a nurse not to be taking basic COVID-19 precautions.

"Who would ever go to a Hospital where their nurses don't understand basic public health protocols," one person commented. "If your staff doesn't 'believe' in science how can you be a medical facility. Wonder how dirty this place is."

Several people called for the nurse to be fired for putting patients at risk.

Another person commented that it was "incredibly irresponsible" for a nurse to not wear a mask.

"You need to evaluate your staff and ensure that they are the best possible candidates for the positions you are offering," the comment said.

The US recorded 4 million coronavirus cases in November alone as the country is enduring a dreaded third wave of the pandemic that public health experts have said is likely to get worse following an increase in holiday travel. More than 265,000 people in the US have died from the coronavirus so far.

In its statement, the hospital said the nurse had displayed a "cavalier disregard for the seriousness of this pandemic" and assured the community that she did not speak for Salem Health.

"We also want to assure you that this one careless statement does not reflect the position of Salem Health or the hardworking and dedicated caregivers who work here," the hospital said. "The COVID pandemic is serious and requires a serious response. And at Salem Health we are very serious about our approach to COVID."

An Oregon Nurse Was Placed On Leave For Dismissing COVID Restrictions In A TikTok An Oregon Nurse Was Placed On Leave For Dismissing COVID Restrictions In A TikTok Reviewed by CUZZ BLUE on November 30, 2020 Rating: 5

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