A nurse in Salem, Oregon is no longer employed by a healthcare provider, after a TikTok of her revealing that she doesn't follow COVID guidelines went viral.
@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
The TikTok was shared by Ashley Grames, who was employed by Salem Health, which includes multiple hospitals and healthcare clinics. Buzzfeed reported the nurse's name and said that she worked in Oncology.
Grames shared the since-deleted TikTok under the handle @LoveisKind05, which has also been deleted. It features audio from 2005 live-action movie How The Grinch Stole Christmas, featuring Cindy-Lou Who screaming, and Jim Carrey's Grinch announcing that he was the Grinch. The audio has been popular to use on TikTok to demonstrate negative or scary behavior.
The caption on Grames' TikTok reads: "When my co workers [sic] find out I still travel, dont [sic] wear a mask when I am out and let my kids have play dates."
Grames' TikTok, though deleted, began to go viral when it was shared in a duet with another TikTok by a user who levied criticisms at the nurse. "Imagine being an oncology nurse during a pandemic and bragging about not taking precautions," the other TikTokker wrote.
Local NBC affiliate First Coast News reported on Monday that Grames was no longer employed by Salem Health but said it wasn't clear whether she was fired or resigned.
In a November statement on Facebook, Salem Health announced that Grames had been put on administrative leave. "Yesterday, 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. This video has prompted an outcry from concerned community members," the statement said.
The hospital also reiterated the importance of taking precautions during the pandemic. "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 statement continued. "Salem Health believes we all need to do our part to protect the vulnerable and stop the rapid spread of COVID-19."
A Facebook page, supposedly created by Grames, shared her own statement in response. The account claiming to be Grames commented on a post from Salem Health on November 29. In the post, the Facebook page claimed that Grames denied being fired, but did say she was contemplating a career change. "I was not terminated; I took a leave of absence. I am focusing on the next chapter in my life which is going back to school. I would Like to pursue a career in Journalism and eventually become an Investigative Reporter and maybe even a News Anchor. That has always been my dream from day one. Happy Holidays everyone and God Bless You," the post read.
Other posts on the Grames Facebook page, which has the handle @MissCoronaBorona, feature messages different from her TikTok, including graphics that encourage social distancing and mask wearing, mixed with a hodgepodge of other content, including links to music videos on YouTube and graphics with Christian messages.
Newsweek reached out Salem Health and the Grames Facebook page for comment, but did not receive responses in time for publication.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
