Nurse suspended after TikTok video mocking Covid-19 mask rules goes viral

An Oregon cancer nurse has been suspended for “cavalier contempt” for the Covid-19 pandemic after posting a video on TikTok mocking safety protocols.

In the since-deleted video, the nurse identified as Ashley Grames lip-syncs with Dr Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” as she mocks the response from other staff at Salem Health hospitals

“When my coworkers find out I’m still traveling, don’t wear a mask when I’m outside and let my kids play on dates,” she captioned the video.

While the TikTok account @ loviskind05 was deleted after the video went viral on Friday, a second user, @ amandabutcher2, reposted the original duo footage.

“Imagine being an oncology nurse during a pandemic and bragging about not taking precautions,” @ amandabutcher2 said in the new post.

Although Ms Grames was not named in the videos, she was identified by hospital officials at the Journal of statesmen. She declined to be interviewed when approached at her home by KPTV from Oregon.

In a statement posted to Facebook, Salem Health said the nurse had been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the video which “showed cavalier disregard for the severity of this pandemic and her indifference to distancing physical and masking outside of work “.

They said she was not speaking for Salem Health or reflecting the position of other hospital staff.