Thieves! Stealing Supplies During COVID-19 Crisis

Nurses COVID

Updated:   Published

Someone was arrested at our local hospital for trying to walk out with several boxes of supplies (masks, gloves) and refusing to give them back when an employee called them out.

Meanwhile, our local big box store "greeters" have been retasked with checking people's receipts to ensure they aren't stealing toilet paper, the most highly sought-after treasure (following masks, apparently).

:banghead:

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Most disasters bring out the best in people but this one seems to be bringing out the worst. People stealing, the news sensationalizing something they know little about, and politicians playing the blame game. The Coronavirus seems to have lowered the IQ of people.

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Specializes in school nurse.
22 minutes ago, juniper222 said:

"politicians playing the blame game"

Except it's not a game. There is someone in power who rightly deserves a hell of a lot of blame. Without mentioning names, he had a "hunch" that things would be fine. (After all, he had an uncle with a PhD.) On top of that how could it not be fine, because he also called it a "hoax".

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On 3/15/2020 at 2:11 PM, juniper222 said:

Most disasters bring out the best in people but this one seems to be bringing out the worst. People stealing, the news sensationalizing something they know little about, and politicians playing the blame game. The Coronavirus seems to have lowered the IQ of people.

I hear you on the IQ part-I won't even describe the stupid grocery hoarding I saw the other evening. I do get what you are saying, but let me politely disagree as in a lot of ways this is bringing my community together.

Examples:

Local support from private business looking to help those children who depend on school meal programs, partnering with local agencies are stepping up to ensure no child goes without.

Local agencies asking for help and getting inundated with volunteers to deliver senior citizen meals as the local Senior Centers are all closed.

facebook groups cropping up with posts of "I have this extra, who needs?" Also, posts outlining what store has what left. Lots of information sharing going on.

I could go on, but I have seen some very altruistic things in my local area. I would hope this kind of grass roots community people-helping other people continues. We need the hope right now.

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35 minutes ago, Jedrnurse said:

Except it's not a game. There is someone in power who rightly deserves a hell of a lot of blame. Without mentioning names, he had a "hunch" that things would be fine. (After all, he had an uncle with a PhD.) On top of that how could it not be fine, because he also called it a "hoax".

Trump never called the virus a hoax, that is what his political enemies said he said. We as a country have been poorly prepared for such an event far before he became president and so the blame should be placed properly on those in healthcare who did not have the foresight. Viruses are not political.

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Specializes in school nurse.
19 minutes ago, juniper222 said:

Trump never called the virus a hoax, that is what his political enemies said he said. We as a country have been poorly prepared for such an event far before he became president and so the blame should be placed properly on those in healthcare who did not have the foresight. Viruses are not political.

https://www.businessinsider.com/five-times-the-trump-administration-downplayed-the-coronavirus-2020-3

AND Trump disbanded the NSC Pandemic Response Team.

But, by all means don't let facts get in your way...

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

I am glad they arrested the thieves! It seems to be common practice for admin and the police to not do anything in these types of circumstances (in my experience). Just disgusting what people will do. I wonder if they were panicking or planning to sell the supplies. (Not that I am excusing the behavior just curious)

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43 minutes ago, Jedrnurse said:

https://www.businessinsider.com/five-times-the-trump-administration-downplayed-the-coronavirus-2020-3

AND Trump disbanded the NSC Pandemic Response Team.

But, by all means don't let facts get in your way...

https://www.foxnews.com/media/trump-campaign-media-coronavirus-hoax

We can play that game forever. But to claim your political bias is a "fact" is intellectually dishonest. You use a politicly biased source for your claim as fact.

The author of that story:

https://www.businessinsider.com/author/jake-lahut

It's OK to have an intellectual debate on politics, however, that is off topic. But please don't get snide with me. Keep it civil.

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Specializes in school nurse.
13 minutes ago, juniper222 said:

https://www.foxnews.com/media/trump-campaign-media-coronavirus-hoax

We can play that game forever. But to claim your political bias is a "fact" is intellectually dishonest. You use a politicly biased source for your claim as fact.

The author of that story:

https://www.businessinsider.com/author/jake-lahut

It's OK to have an intellectual debate on politics, however, that is off topic. But please don't get snide with me. Keep it civil.

Civil it is.

Denying or ignoring words from Trump's own mouth can arguably meet the level of gaslighting. Please don't do it.

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Can we please leave discussions about covid 19 to scientific medical facts.

Unless Trump suddenly becomes a dictator and kills all the staff at the CDC, Dr. Fauci, etc., apolitical calmer heads need to prevail. I don't care what Trump said.

I don't read or listen to anything about covid 19 that comes from a politician. I go to legitimate Internet sites.

Because airplane travel makes our world "smaller" since the average person can travel to every corner of the earth in a few hours.

Because the Internet makes our world "smaller" since we can read first hand stories when they happen from every corner of the earth.

Because "if it bleeds, it leads" is how news operates.

Because if these reasons the general public is getting too much information and information overload. The horror stories get more readers and sell more ads!

It would help if scientifically educated nurses would remain calm and stick to the facts.

These incendiary news stories are why the public is panicking.

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On 3/15/2020 at 5:19 PM, brownbook said:

Can we please leave discussions about covid 19 to scientific medical facts.

Unless Trump suddenly becomes a dictator and kills all the staff at the CDC, Dr. Fauci, etc., apolitical calmer heads need to prevail. I don't care what Trump said.

I can't like this enough, well said!

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
2 hours ago, juniper222 said:

Trump never called the virus a hoax, that is what his political enemies said he said. We as a country have been poorly prepared for such an event far before he became president and so the blame should be placed properly on those in healthcare who did not have the foresight. Viruses are not political.

I can't "like" this post enough. The current situation has been politicized to death.

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