Thieves! Stealing Supplies During COVID-19 Crisis

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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:

On 3/16/2020 at 3:32 PM, pixierose said:

What is the CDC going to do, hold bake sales?

In the Spring of 2018, the White House pushed Congress to cut funding for Obama-era disease security programs, proposing to eliminate $252 million in previously committed resources for rebuilding health systems in Ebola-ravaged Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. Trump dropped the proposal to eliminate Ebola funds a month later. But other White House efforts included reducing $15 billion in national health spending and cutting the global disease-fighting operational budgets of the CDC, NSC, DHS, and HHS. And the government’s $30 million Complex Crises Fund was eliminated.

You’re correct, I do hold “obvious political slant” - as do you. I’m tired of seeing the man in charge turn around and say, “not my fault!” I don’t give a DAMN if it’s your fault right now - just be a leader and help fix it. Please. Stop blaming Obama. Stop saying we have “beautiful” tests (WOW!! does that even mean?). Agree with your health officials (I.e. Fauci) because they DO know what they’re saying; stop sending mixed messages.

I would love to bicker less. Trump said that too ... only to attack “Sleepy Joe Biden” (c’mon now) in a Twitter attack less than a day later.

Cancer sucks. That, we can probably all agree on. I appreciate you telling me to take care.

Maybe you can post a "I hate Trump" thread. We are moving off topic here.

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Specializes in ED, psych.
On 3/16/2020 at 4:04 PM, juniper222 said:

Maybe you can post a "I hate Trump" thread. We are moving off topic here.

Trump, the public’s response, and our own reaction to the Coronavirus are all interrelated. Everything I said is very much on topic - I.e budget cuts from this administration r/t the CDC, HHS, etc and all you can say is, “post a I hate Trump thread.”

Anything else I say, and I might vio. It’s political, and it’s because your chief made it so. People can’t understand how it’s political; you are hiding under a rock. It’s not just the media - it comes directly from his own mouth, his Twitter account. People steal - and yes, many are selfish. They’re also scared. Back to the mixed messages. And around and round we go ...

I’m done here.

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On 3/16/2020 at 4:23 PM, pixierose said:

Trump, the public’s response, and our own reaction to the Coronavirus are all interrelated. Everything I said is very much on topic - I.e budget cuts from this administration r/t the CDC, HHS, etc and all you can say is, “post a I hate Trump thread.”

Anything else I say, and I might vio. It’s political, and it’s because your chief made it so.

I'm sorry you feel that way, however, the topic is about stealing medical supplies. Most forums do not allow posters to veer off topic as it is against etiquette. If you want debate on this subject I'm good with that. I recommend starting a separate thread rather than hijacking this one.

Please keep in mind, I don't hate you for your views. You are entitled to them as much as I am. As long as we don't cross the threshold into name calling a debate on such issues is welcome. We should not let our emotions get the best of us.?

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Specializes in ED, psych.
23 minutes ago, juniper222 said:

I'm sorry you feel that way, however, the topic is about stealing medical supplies. Most forums do not allow posters to veer off topic as it is against etiquette. If you want debate on this subject I'm good with that. I recommend starting a separate thread rather than hijacking this one.

Please keep in mind, I don't hate you for your views. You are entitled to them as much as I am. As long as we don't cross the threshold into name calling a debate on such issues is welcome. We should not let our emotions get the best of us.?

Interesting that you cut off the part of my quote regarding the stealing.

Sweet Jesus. Lecturing me on keeping to the topic on hand and etiquette ... *and you cut off my response to fit your narrative?*

No. I am very much on topic. You just happen to disagree with it.

Edited to add: several people mentioned the political aspect, including your first post - “the political blame game.” That was long before I posted, and I responded in kind.

Done.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

There's plenty of talk and debate about the political side of things over on the "blue side". People are welcome there. I think it's good to look in retrospect at our mistakes and learn from them. Trump made some mistakes and so have prior administrations. That's all I'll say about that.

People are getting a bit tired of it being a political issue when we need to work together as it involves us all.

https://allnurses-breakroom.com/us-politics-c166/

About those people stealing supplies, it sure is pathetic. We had to practically lock and key our supplies in the ER because of thieves.

Just like looters after a hurricane, this stuff is bound to happen.

That said, for the most part 99% of people are being respectful, patient, kind and compliant. The long lines of visitors coming into the hospital are cordial. People in the grocery stores are cordial, even as they take selfies at the empty shelves of toilet paper. It's agonizing for some to hear they can't visit their 93 year old mother in the nursing home, but they are okay with it for the greater good. Most people want themselves and their loved ones and all of us safe.

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38 minutes ago, pixierose said:

Interesting that you cut off the part of my quote regarding the stealing.

Sweet Jesus. Lecturing me on keeping to the topic on hand and etiquette ... *and you cut off my response to fit your narrative?*

No. I am very much on topic. You just happen to disagree with it.

Edited to add: several people mentioned the political aspect, including your first post - “the political blame game.” That was long before I posted, and I responded in kind.

Done.

You went back and edited you post after I had posted my response. My post was not edited at all. Frankly I find your rancor very distasteful. You need to calm down.

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Specializes in ED, psych.
5 minutes ago, juniper222 said:

You went back and edited you post after I had posted my response. My post was not edited at all. Frankly I find your rancor very distasteful. You need to calm down.

I need to turn off my notifications.

I edited it to add to the end - which I “edited to add.” I didn’t touch your response. You were the one to cut that off.

Now I know who I am speaking with.

And ... no offense. Especially with your last response - I’m pretty calm, resting in bed watching my Netflix. Nary a stolen item to be had.

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I wonder if toilet paper has hit the black market yet. If so the government may make it a controlled substance.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
7 minutes ago, juniper222 said:

I wonder if toilet paper has hit the black market yet. If so the government may make it a controlled substance.

Amazon and eBay have cracked down on those third party sellers.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/14/technology/coronavirus-purell-wipes-amazon-sellers.html

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Okay guys enough is enough. The thread is not political but about people stealing equipment from a hospital for what is obviously personal gain. Any more political posts after this warning will be removed. As mentioned in a previous post there is a political forum in the breakroom please feel free to post political discussions there and not here

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

we had a issue with EVS taking personal hygiene supplies from offices. We have had to lock our supply closet up, one roll of TP per room.

One one unit, one of the oncology units, someone stole all the hand sanitizer, masks, PPE gowns.

I worked this past weekend and had to do as much educating to ancillary staff as I did to patients. I know people are scared but it is aggravating that they are taking, no hoarding stuff that is vital to nurses to care for people.

We are not a fit-tested unit, but they are waiving that if we are inundated. Right now we are still OK. Less than 12 admitted for r/o and no pos. Thank goodness!

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We just got an email that even though those supplies are in secluded areas the employees are now thieving. They mentioned that cameras are watching us (they always have been, it's the times we live in with mass shootings etc.) and we will be prosecuted by the police if caught.

Employees as thieves. Who would have thought?

If we are patient, things will be restocked. I was at the store today and they were replenishing Lysol wipes. Patience not thievery is in order now.

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