‘Cavalier disregard’: Oregon hospital suspends nurse for TikTok video flouting COVID-19 precautions

SALEM, Ore. — An oncology nurse in Salem, Oregon, has been placed on administrative leave after posting a controversial TikTok video Friday, suggesting she disregards novel coronavirus precautions outside of work.

In the video, the nurse appears to be sitting in a break room wearing blue scrubs with a stethoscope around her neck.

The caption on the post reads: “When my coworkers find out I still travel, don’t wear a mask when I am out and let my kids have playdates,” and the nurse proceeds to lip-sync to audio from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” KPTV reported.

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The post has since been deleted, but an official with Salem Health identified the nurse as Ashley Grames in an email sent to The Washington Post on Monday.

Meanwhile, family members of patients who are receiving cancer treatment at Salem Health are among those flooding the hospital’s social media accounts with comments, imploring them to address the video and its implications, KPTV reported.

In a Saturday Facebook post, Salem Health criticized the nurse’s “cavalier disregard for the seriousness of this pandemic and her indifference towards physical distancing and masking outside of work.”

“This video has prompted an outcry from concerned community members. We want to thank those of you who brought this to our attention and assure you that we are taking this very seriously. This individual does not speak for Salem Health and has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation,” the statement continued.

“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.”

Meanwhile, at least 74,120 Oregonians have been diagnosed with COVID-19, resulting in at least 905 deaths since the pandemic began, the Post reported.

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Cox Media Group