Cancer nurse put on leave after boasting about ignoring COVID-19 rules

An Oregon cancer nurse has been placed on administrative leave after boasting about ignoring Covid-19 rules on TikTok.

In the original video, the nurse could be seen in what looked like scrubs in a breakroom and was captioned: "When my co workers find out I still travel, dont wear a mask when I am out and let my kids have play dates. [sic]"

While the original TikTok was taken down alongside the nurse's account, it was reuploaded by another user, meaning that it is still viewable.

Watch the nurse talk about flouting Covid-19 restrictions below: 

[[tiktokwidget||https://www.tiktok.com/@amandabutcher2/video/6899924311990095110]]

In the video, the nurse can be seen joking about her co-workers' reactions if they knew that she was flouting the aforementioned rules.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Saturday, Salem Hospital addressed the video and revealed that the nurse featured has been placed on administrative leave while an investigation takes place into the incident.

[[facebookwidget||https://www.facebook.com/salemhealth/posts/10160371964957926]]

Hospital officials said in the statement that the nurse "displayed [a] cavalier disregard for the seriousness of the pandemic" and "does not speak for Salem Health."

"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 hospital added.

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

While the nurse was not identified by hospital officials, she was named as Ashley Grames by the Statesman Journal, and she declined to be interviewed when KPTV went to her home.

The hospital's Facebook statement has garnered over 1,000 comments, with many people calling for Grames to be fired for putting those with underlying health conditions at risk of Covid-19.

One Facebook user wrote: "Thank you! She deserves to be fired! She is working with the most immunocomprised crowd of people at their absolute worst and then bragging about it on Social Media?! I honestly hope she's never able to get a job in the medical field ever again!"

A second concurred, writing: "Her actions are incomprehensible. Immediate action is needed. She absolutely should lose her job."

As per Cancer.gov, people with cancer are more likely to suffer complications after contracting Covid-19 because cancer and cancer treatments make it more difficult for the body to fight off infections.