A Florida nurse urges people to wash their “stinkin’ hands” and avoid the “cesspool of funky flu at the ER” unless they have a legitimate emergency in a viral 6-minute Facebook video that has been viewed nearly 10 million times.
“We are in the middle of something called flu season … It is a really terrible flu season and if you’re not aware of how the flu is spread, the only way you can get it is through your eyes, your nose or your mouth,” says Nurse Katherine Smith Lockler.
The ER nurse, still wearing her blue scrubs as she sits in her car, said the flu “is spreading like wildfire.”
After Work Thoughts (Disclaimer: The views and information shared in this video are the opinion of this ER registered nurse. Medications mentioned in this video are available over the counter, but consult your Primary physician or Pharmacist regarding the exact dosage that is right for you.)
Posted by Katherine Smith Lockler on Saturday, January 27, 2018
“Here are some thoughts, if you don’t mind me sharing,” she continues.
“If you have a team member from your softball team who is sick or injured, you don’t bring the entire team in to visit them … there is a cesspool of funky flu at the ER.”
“Please don’t bring your team in,” said Lockler, a mother. “Especially your newborn babies into the emergency room.”
Lockler went on to say that if you do get sick, “wash your stinkin’ hands so you don’t get all your babies sick!”
During the video, Lockler gives a demonstration on how to properly sneeze so that germs don’t spread.
“Watch this,” Lockler said. “I’m gonna’ teach y’all a magic trick — it’s amazing.”
Then Lockler dramatically fakes a sneeze into her arm.
“My sleeve got the germs,” the Santa Rose County nurse said. “My hands didn’t because it’s amazing to watch how many people come through the emergency room, sneeze in their hand and I watch. No one grabs the hand sanitizer that’s only every three feet in the ER.”
Lockler also noted that she’s been “yelled at and cussed at” by patients who complain about the wait time in the emergency room.
“Most nurses in the emergency room are only getting five seconds to eat,” she said, as she asked people to thank nurses and doctors because “we’re putting ourselves in the thick of nasty germs to help.”
Lockler’s clip had been shared on Facebook more than 94,000 times as of Friday morning.
Many Facebook users have commented on Lockler’s video in praise.
“It’s amazing how many people have no Common Sense!! By the way your funny!!!!!” Tammy Meuwissen commented.
Another commenter, Janet Morales Martin, wrote: “This should be shown as a PSA during the SuperBowl!”
Education!!!!! I am all for it. If your mother didn’t teach you how to wash your hands and sneeze in your sleeve, ask a nurse.
As a now-retired Same Day Surgery Pre-op and recovery nurse, I just have just a couple of examples to add to Katherine’s suggestions – if your child has a fever, do NOT give him Tylenol just before getting to pre-op so you can get those ‘life saving’ ear tubes (surgery can be rescheduled for another time); and if it is respiratory-season, do not bring the entire extended family to a children’s hospital that has instituted limited visitation because those ‘sniffles’ could be devastating to an immunosuppressed patient – and, no, the staff cannot watch all the rest of the children while you go shopping!
Go, Katherine, and all the rest of the ER, floor, periop and clinic nurses!
So funny…….and true. Been there as an ER nurse…..and yes the guy who came in via ambulance with the soles of his feet sunburned will need to wait in the hall on a stretcher while we work on the man with chest pain and no blood pressure! Loved that job!!
Let the fever do it’s job— Kill the virus but PUSH fluids. So many over the counter medications have antihistamines that dry an already dry body..PUSH those fluids..aim for 10+ cups a day while febrile and STAY home with your germs.
Great job ER Nurse…bless you and stay well!
I worked ER for years. This woman does not lie! Emergency means just that! Life or death! Not urgent! If it’s urgent then go to an urgent care. And for the love of Pete, wash your stinkin’ hands!!
How about advocating a flu shot?
Everything that she said it is so true!
So funny, Katherine. As a nurse myself I have seen other than after sneezing in their hand; how great is it when they touch someone or…..touch a door knob, a magazine, a child, etc. People…..Wash your hands a lot when you are sick. Wear a mask if you are sneezing or coughing a lot and are in a crowd of people. HELLO…………..Thanks again, this Kathryn.
Wait….let’s just stop at wash your hands a lot! So many people walking around ( perhaps asymptomatic at first) are sneezing out loud or onto their hands –
obviously raised by wild wolves.
Pretty funny but she didn’t demonstrate hand washing!