Measles: Facts vs Assumptions

So, we’ve got measles. Right here in River City. Let’s start with some facts.

Measles: What You Should Know,  Johns Hopkins Medicine 

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection — one of the most contagious of all known infections. Nine out of 10 unimmunized children who are in contact with an infected person will contract the virus. The virus can linger in the air for about two hours after a person with measles has left the room. It can infect those who enter the room if they are unimmunized.

Oh, I forgot the biggie: 

At best, measles is a very uncomfortable illness. At worst, it can be lethal.

Measles also weakens the overall immune system. 

From the World Health Organization 

Measles itself also weakens the immune system and can make the body “forget” how to protect itself against infections, leaving children* extremely vulnerable.

*I added the asterisk to point out this also means the immune-compromised, people who can’t physically tolerate vaccines, and the elderly. 

Both Johns Hopkins Medicine practitioners and the World Health Organization agree: The best way to protect against measles is to get vaccinated.

These are the facts. There are concrete actions you can take based on these facts. But then…there are assumptions. Not everyone seems to know the difference between facts and assumptions these days. Here are two I saw online since the news was released:

Some anti vax mfer took their unvaxxed kid on a trip out of the country, landed at Dulles all lit up w/measles and drove measles to my county in MD (Howard). The kid is now up the street from my damn house in the hospital lit up w/the damn measles and I’m furious. Thanks loads RFK, you mfer.

And:

Open borders have consequences!

We don’t have the information to back up either of these comments. Read the statement released to the public. It gives the most basic information about the case - - facts which allow the community to assess their own risk. That’s it. From a public health standpoint this is what is most important. Anything more at this point would be a violation of the patient’s privacy. 

We known that the person who contracted measles was 1) traveling abroad,  2) they were treated in a pediatric unit, and 3) they are a Howard County resident.That’s it. 

Anything else is, as they say, pure speculation. 

I personally have strong opinions about vaccination and strong feelings about those who are pushing the anti-vax ideology. I still have the ability to tell between what is fact and what is assumption.  

I’m going to need to check with my doctor today to see if my insurance will cover having my titers checked and, if necessary, whether it will pay for an MMR booster. Those are concrete actions I can take based on the factual knowledge I have.

And I’m going to keep in mind that this story includes more than the threat to public health. It also includes a very sick human being in the pediatric unit of Johns Hopkins Medical Center. I have been the parent of a very sick human in a pediatric unit - - twice. I’m going to to take a moment today to remember what that was like. 

My advice for today: facts, facts, facts. A little empathy wouldn’t hurt either.

Village Green/Town² Comments