Predictably, the measles epidemic is morphing onto a political hot potato, much like global warming. Prospective Republican presidential candidates are being quizzed about vaccinations and whether or not they should be mandatory. The assumption is that the current measles outbreak is due to low measles vaccination rates, yet no questions or answers have been put forth addressing the far more likely cause of the outbreak -- illegal immigration.
Measles, like smallpox, has been eradicated. According to the CDC, “In 2000, the United States declared that measles was eliminated from this country.” This graph illustrates how measles cases dropped dramatically after the measles vaccine was introduced in the 1960s.
Then why are we seeing this sudden surge in measles cases? Lack of vaccinations in the U.S. doesn’t cause the disease, but instead facilitates its spread. If a disease has been eradicated, vaccination is no longer necessary. The CDC reminds us, “Routine smallpox vaccination among the American public stopped in 1972 after the disease was eradicated in the United States.” Arguments about measles vaccinations are a red herring if measles has been truly eradicated.
Then why the surge in cases? The only explanation is that new cases are being introduced into the United States. Since 2001, there have typically been less than 100 measles cases per year in the U.S. In 2014, this number jumped to over 600 cases, with 102 cases alone in January of 2015. The CDC connects the dots. “Measles is still common in many parts of the world including some countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa.” Furthermore, “Travelers with measles continue to bring the disease into the U.S.” Replace “travelers” with “immigrants.”
Thank Dr. Ben Carson for bringing this topic to light. He's not afraid of the PC crowd.
"Ben Carson Blames Measles Outbreak On 'Undocumented People'"
"These are things that we had under control. We have to account for the fact that we now have people coming into the country sometimes undocumented people who perhaps have diseases that we had under control," he said. "So now we need to be doubly vigilant about making sure that we immunize them to keep them from getting diseases that once were under control."
** Rich Lowry, Nov 30, 2014 on “Meet the Press” Sunday, National Review editor
Stop trying to make the Ferguson protests something they weren’t. And, just as importantly, stop trying to make Michael Brown, the man shot to death during a fight with police Office Darren Wilson in August, something he wasn’t.
“If you look at the most credible evidence, the lessons are really basic ... don’t rob a convenience store. Don’t fight with a policeman when he stops you and try to take his gun. And when he yells at you to stop, just stop.”
The so called 'right' has been an embarrassment on this as well (par for the course of late), it is nauseating to see all of these faux 'libertarians' and 'big government foes' jumping on the vaccination bandwagon. They remind me of high schoolers, just chomping at the bit to be able to say something to try to get in with the 'cool kids.' Jackasses all of them.....