A Tennessee couple, battling COVID-19, kicked out the home care nurse after they learned she was unvaccinated, reported Newsweek.com. The nurse is from Tennova Home Health.
The Couple Shares Their Story
The couple, Patricia and Howard Winn are from Clarksville, and they have been cautious when it comes to COVID-19. They wore masks and gloves every day and were vaccinated but still contracted the disease. Howard suffered more as he needed intensive care later at a nearby hospital. Howard shared with WTVF, “They put me in, stuck some oxygen in my nose, and I didn’t leave there for three weeks.”
As for Patricia, she was extra cautious by asking the nurses who tended to them if they had been vaccinated. Patricia told WTVF, “I said, ‘Well, have you had your vaccinations?’ She said, ‘No.’ And I said, ‘Well, why not?’ She said, ‘Well, I’m healthy. If you’re healthy, you don’t need that vaccination.”
Howard then noted that Patricia told the home care nurse she had to get out as they did not want anybody who was not vaccinated, especially a health care worker. Howard added, “We don’t want anybody – I don’t care who it is. The preacher, or the teacher, or a doctor coming in that hasn’t been vaccinated. It’s our house.”
Tennova Home Health Releases Statement
Tennova Home Health does not require its employees to be vaccinated. Still, in their statement, they said that they implemented strict protocols for all clinicians regarding the use of personal protection equipment on patient visits. They added, “At all times, our number one priority is the health and well-being of our patients, employees, and the communities we serve. Like many other healthcare companies, we are awaiting further and more specific details from the Biden Administration around the previously announced mandate. Until then, we continue to encourage and recommend vaccination.”
Tennova Home Health said they would now only be sending vaccinated nurses at the home of the couple.
