Oregon nurse is placed on leave after posting TikTok video mocking COVID-19 protocols

Oregon nurse is put on leave for boasting that she doesn’t wear a mask, keeps traveling and lets her kids go on play dates in TikTok video

  • An Oregon oncology nurse is under investigation after she bragged about defying coronavirus safety guidelines in a video posted to TikTok
  • Her employer, Salem Health, has placed her on administrative leave
  • The clip showed a nurse – identified as Ashley Grames – confessing to not taking COVID precautions like wearing a mask
  • Grames’ video and her TikTok profile have both been deleted from TikTok but the clip was saved and then reshared by other users
  • Her apparent flouting of safety regulations in the TikTok video has led some commenters calling for her to be fired

A nurse from Oregon has been placed on administrative leave after she posted a TikTok video that made fun of basic measures designed to curb the spread of coronavirus. 

The original post has since been deleted however another user made a copy of it and reposted it on their profile as a duet. 

‘Imagine being an oncology nurse during a pandemic and bragging about not taking precautions,’ they wrote. 

The original video, posted by user @Loveiskind05, saw a nurse dressed in scrubs complete with stethoscope in what appeared to be a hospital break room 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 nurse was identified by Buzzfeed as Ashley Grames, who became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in October 2010 and has been a Registered Nurse since 2015 according to online records. 

An Oregon oncology nurse, right, is under investigation after she bragged about defying coronavirus safety guidelines in a video posted to TikTok

An Oregon oncology nurse, right, is under investigation after she bragged about defying coronavirus safety guidelines in a video posted to TikTok

The clip showed Ashley Grames confessing to not taking COVID precautions

The clip showed Ashley Grames confessing to not taking COVID precautions

The caption that the nurse travels, doesn’t wear a mask and lets her kids have play dates goes directly against guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aimed at stopping the spread of the virus.

The CDC that suggests less travel, wearing masks around others when social distancing is not possible and avoiding get togethers with people outside your household.  

But the apparent frank confession by the nurse led to users scrambling to identify her who then promptly alerted her employer, Salem Health. 

On a Facebook page Salem Health thanked people for reaching out. 

Although the company did not name Grames as the nurse involved, they did say that a staff member had been ‘placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.’ 

Grames’ video and her TikTok profile have both been deleted from TikTok but the clip was saved and then reshared by other users

Grames’ video and her TikTok profile have both been deleted from TikTok but the clip was saved and then reshared by other users 

The video, which was posted to TikTok, shocked users who then sought to identify her

The video, which was posted to TikTok, shocked users who then sought to identify her

The video, which was posted to TikTok, shocked users who then sought to identify her

A statement from the hospital read: ‘A nurse employed with Salem Health posted a video on social media which displayed cavalier disregard for the seriousness of this pandemic and her indifference towards physical distancing and masking outside of work.

‘Salem Health believes we all need to do our part to protect the vulnerable and stop the rapid spread of COVID-19. 

‘This includes requiring staff, patients and visitors to follow guidance from the CDC and others about mask wearing and social distancing. 

‘The COVID pandemic is serious and requires a serious response. And at Salem Health we are very serious about our approach to COVID.’ 

The nurses' employer shared their concern about the video and attempted to reassure people in a statement made on the company's Facebook page

The nurses’ employer shared their concern about the video and attempted to reassure people in a statement made on the company’s Facebook page

Many people commented on the post, saying it was reprehensible for a nurse not 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 asked. ‘If your staff doesn’t ‘believe’ in science how can you be a medical facility. Wonder how dirty this place is?’ said another. 

Although some thought the hospital prudent for suspending her while investigating, others questioned why she was not fired immediately.  

‘There should be no investigation. Fire her and take away any of her licenses. She doesn’t deserve to be a nurse if all she’s going to do is endanger some of the most immunocompromised people,’ said one Facebook user. 

‘You need to evaluate your staff and ensure that they are the best possible candidates for the positions you are offering,’ another commenter said. 

The video comes as the U.S. recorded 4 million coronavirus cases in November alone as the country heads towards a 'third wave' of infections

The video comes as the U.S. recorded 4 million coronavirus cases in November alone as the country heads towards a ‘third wave’ of infections

The video comes as the U.S. recorded 4 million coronavirus cases in November alone as the country heads towards a ‘third wave’ of infections. 

Public health experts believe the rate is likely to increase following recent holiday travel. 

More than 265,000 people in the US have died from the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic.

source: dailymail.co.uk