Wednesday, August 28, 2013

So Shall Ye Reap...



Seems anti-vaccination insanity is one of the few science-related issues that crosses party lines: the HuffPo, for example, has regularly given space to anti-vaxers. But, of course, it's easy until the shit hits the fan, as in Texas:
...The latest measles outbreak is in Texas, where the virus has sickened 25 people, most of whom are members or visitors of a church led by the daughter of televangelist Kenneth Copeland. Fifteen of the measles cases are centered around Eagle Mountain International Church in Newark, Texas, whose senior pastor, Terri Pearsons, has previously been critical of measles vaccinations...
I remember seeing a couple of kids with measles pneumonia when in med school, before the time came when it was virtually eradicated, due to vaccines. People die from it. We've had some cases of whooping cough, too, locally. Kids can die of that, too.

I like to say it's liberals who have open minds and are more resistant than conservatives to fact-free insanity. In our politics, it's self-evident. And, of course, the Texas example is on the right side of the spectrum. But people like Jenny McCarthy (I have no idea of her political leanings, but her anti-vax zealotry has been platformed frequently on liberal sites) ought to consider their responsibility when stories like this pop up.

No deaths, yet. Because, no doubt, god is watching over them.

[Image source]

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