ER Nurse Eyerolls Her Way Through Flu Rant in Video

Some say her message is 'condescending,' but she says she just wants to keep folks healthy and safe
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 2, 2018 7:33 AM CST
ER Nurse Eyerolls Her Way Through Flu Rant in Video
Stay away from the "cesspool" ER unless it's absolutely necessary, Lockler warns.   (Getty Images/nano)

It's been a tough flu season so far, which is bringing out some tough love from health care professionals. In Florida, that comes in the form of Katherine Lockler, an ER nurse in Escambia County who put out a "polarizing," finger-wagging video about flu season that has now gone viral, the Pensacola News Journal reports. Lockler posted the nearly seven-minute clip on Facebook last weekend, warning people to stay away from the "cesspool of funky flu at the ER" and chastising those with unwise health hygiene habits that help spread and worsen the flu outbreak. "Please don't bring your healthy children—especially your newborn babies—into the emergency room," is one such admonishment in Lockler's "After Work Thoughts" video, which has been viewed nearly 5 million times and racked up 93,000 shares.

Examples Lockler rants about in the video, which the News Journal says is rife with her "sarcastic inflection and animated facial expressions and gestures," include an entire softball team strolling into the ER to check on a sick teammate, as well as a dad letting his toddler crawl around on the ER floor—and who told Lockler it would build up the child's immune system when she warned him against it, TCPalm reports, via the Miami Herald. Although Lockler has lots of new fans thanks to her spirited PSA, not everyone appreciates her delivery. "Not taking advice (which I already know) from someone that is talking to the general public like we are all 5 years old," a commenter posted on Facebook; another added: "Next time try making it less condescending." Lockler admits her sarcastic streak, but she apologizes if her "tone was offensive" and says "the message is still right on the money." (More viral video stories.)

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