SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
Anti-Vaxxers Defeated: NY Bans Exemptions as Doctors Vote to Step up Fight:
Anti-vaccine advocates received a blow in New York Thursday as state lawmakers banned non-medical exemptions based on religious beliefs—and there may be more blows coming.
Also on Thursday, the American Medical Association adopted a new policy to step up its fight against such non-medical exemptions. The AMA, the country's largest physicians' group and one of the largest spenders on lobbying, has always strongly support pediatric vaccination and opposed non-medical exemptions. But under the new policy changes, the association will now "actively advocate" for states to eliminate any laws that allow for non-medical exemptions.
"As evident from the measles outbreaks currently impacting communities in several states, when individuals are not immunized as a matter of personal preference or misinformation, they put themselves and others at risk of disease," AMA Board Member E. Scott Ferguson, M.D. said in a statement. "The AMA strongly supports efforts to eliminate non-medical exemptions from immunization, and we will continue to actively urge policymakers to do so."
The religious exemption ban in New York comes at a critical time. The state is at the forefront of a nationwide resurgence of measles, with active outbreaks that have sickened hundreds and splintered into other states.
"This administration has taken aggressive action to contain the measles outbreak, but given its scale, additional steps are needed to end this public health crisis," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement after signing the ban on religious exemptions. "While I understand and respect freedom of religion, our first job is to protect the public health, and by signing this measure into law, we will help prevent further transmissions and stop this outbreak right in its tracks."
Sudden outbreak of common sense?
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Monday June 17 2019, @12:06PM (7 children)
Gotta nip this thing in the bud, before it gets outta hand!
🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 2) by NotSanguine on Monday June 17 2019, @12:32PM (6 children)
There. FTFM.
Yep. Before people start dying or getting brain damage. [soylentnews.org]
No, no, you're not thinking; you're just being logical. --Niels Bohr
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Monday June 17 2019, @03:46PM (5 children)
This is political posturing, grandstanding for particular crowds, and shaping public behavior.
What this is NOT is addressing a real crisis with real potential for impactful positive outcome. It's yelling BOO! there's a bogeyman out there and I'm going to protect you - pay no attention to the literally thousands of bigger bogeymen that can be addressed more effectively and efficiently, this one allows me to strike a certain political posture that I think will resonate with my electorate and help me in the future.
Politicians pretending to be out in front of a problem, ignoring the much bigger problems that got out in front of them.
Democracy: We get the leadership we deserve.
🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 2) by NotSanguine on Monday June 17 2019, @05:18PM (4 children)
There's nothing political about the truth.
Measles is highly contagious and can cause brain inflammation (potentially with permanent brain damage) and death.
Without the measles vaccine, thousands would die from it every year, and even more would end up with brain inflammation and other serious issues. How do I know this? Because that's exactly what happened before there was a measles vaccine.
Measles is preventable and should be in the dustbin of history like Smallpox. In fact, widespread vaccination *ended* measles in the United States in 2000. Now, thanks to a bunch of ill-informed, reckless people, measles is back. That it hasn't killed or maimed anyone yet is just dumb luck.
This is a public health issue that, unless dealt with, could cause needless suffering and death.
It's you who is doing the political posturing. And for what? So a bunch of folks that worship an imaginary sky daddy can be frightened into putting their kids and many others at risk? Shame on you!
No, no, you're not thinking; you're just being logical. --Niels Bohr
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Monday June 17 2019, @06:08PM (1 child)
There's no truth worth hearing from a parrot.
🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 17 2019, @06:42PM
While you have your fingers in your ears, you might want to cover your eyes too.
Then no one will be able to see you either.
Have fun!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 18 2019, @06:07PM (1 child)
stfu, you stupid fucking cunt.
(Score: 2) by NotSanguine on Tuesday June 18 2019, @06:20PM
How sweet. Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?
And no. I won't STFU. Kisses, baby!
No, no, you're not thinking; you're just being logical. --Niels Bohr