Over the past week, we have been inundated with mainstream media stories about the measles ‘epidemic’ in Washington state where 68 have been infected. Nationwide, there have been 159 cases identified through February 21, 2019. (1)
An outbreak is defined as three or more cases. Of measles—an illness that is self-limited and benign for nearly all who got it. Before I go on, let’s remember how measles was regarded when I was growing up. Recall that the Brady Bunch became infected with measles. I do not recall newspaper headlines blaring about the Brady’s serious illness. I don’t think the health department was on the episode investigating how the Brady’s became ill. Furthermore, I don’t remember Congress investigating why all the Brady’s became ill. Nor do I have any memory of state legislatures trying to take parental rights away because the Brady’s developed measles. I think Mr. and Mrs. Brady would have had something to say about that one!
Here’s what I remember about the Brady’s measles show:
That was in a different era when measles was considered a right of passage for nearly all children. In fact, children who naturally developed measles and recovered had lifetime immunity from future measles infections. Additionally, girls who recovered from measles would pass on immunity to their babies which would protect their children at the most vulnerable time in their lives.
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Now, with nearly everyone getting the measles vaccination, all that protection is lost. There is no lifetime immunity since the antibody production from the vaccine declines over time. Furthermore, there is no protection for newborn babies in mothers who have been vaccinated. And, there is no herd immunity from the vaccine since the vaccine is incapable of providing it.
Perhaps Marcia Brady had it right!
Times were simpler in the Brady era. There was no fear-mongering from the Powers-That-Be over measles. Not so today. The headlines today might make you think that measles is as deadly as Ebola.
That is absurd.
But, just look at what is happening around our country after a small and predictable measles outbreak. There was a US Congressional hearing last week about the measles ‘epidemic’ and another one is scheduled in the US Senate next week. At these hearings, the Powers-That-Be are calling for mandatory vaccinations and eliminating parental choice when it comes to vaccines. As I previously stated, with the amount of media coverage this measles epidemic is receiving, I would not fault you for guessing that many must be dying from measles. In fact, no one has died.
