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from the '0'-days-since-our-last-measles dept.
UK steps up fight after losing 'measles-free' status
The United Kingdom says it will take steps to halt the spread of misinformation about vaccines as a result of losing its "measles-free" status after the highly infectious disease was declared eliminated in the country three years ago.
Measles, which is almost entirely preventable with two doses of vaccine, is making a comeback globally. In the first half of the year, there have been almost three times as many cases as the same time last year. Cases globally are at the highest level since 2006, according to the World Health Organization.
"After a period of progress where we were once able to declare Britain measles free, we've now seen hundreds of cases of measles in the UK this year. One case of this horrible disease is too many, and I am determined to step up our efforts to tackle its spread," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a statement.
UK's Johnson slams 'mumbo-jumbo' about vaccines after measles rates rise
"The UK generally has a great record on fighting measles, but for the first time we're suddenly going in the wrong direction," Johnson said on a visit to a hospital in Truro, south-west England. "I'm afraid people have just been listening to that superstitious mumbo-jumbo on the internet, all that anti-vax stuff, and thinking that the MMR vaccine is a bad idea. That's wrong, please get your kids vaccinated."
See also: UK to pressure social media companies to fight anti-vax info
(Score: 2) by MostCynical on Tuesday August 20 2019, @01:46AM (9 children)
Despite his failings, he has somehow ended up in charge (of Brexit, the UK, etc)
He is threfore the focus of much hope, and more antagonism or even hate.
And none of that stops him saying things that are correct, sometimes
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 2) by PartTimeZombie on Tuesday August 20 2019, @02:06AM (7 children)
Or lying through his teeth if he thinks it might help him.
The guy is a complete piece of shit, and has already started breaking his promises.
Not that anyone is surprised by that. [businessinsider.com.au]
(Score: 2) by Coward, Anonymous on Tuesday August 20 2019, @05:06AM (6 children)
Random things somebody says, especially a politician, are not really "promises". They have to say it's a promise, otherwise it can just be argued away. People do have a right to change their minds, unless they really committed to a certain course of action.
(Score: 1) by khallow on Tuesday August 20 2019, @05:32AM (1 child)
Even then, I've heard some remarkable dissembling, such as claiming it's a "position" not a "promise".
(Score: 3, Informative) by kazzie on Tuesday August 20 2019, @03:16PM
Especially when it's positioned on the side of a bus [metro.co.uk].
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Tuesday August 20 2019, @04:00PM (3 children)
Politicians should not say things on a whim. They should say what they mean and mean what they say. They are supposed to represent the people, and therefore, the people have a right to know what they really think.
They should be held to things they say.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 2, Disagree) by Coward, Anonymous on Tuesday August 20 2019, @08:41PM (2 children)
Sure, you can try to hold them to it. But to call everything a politician says they will do a promise is also dishonest. A promise is a special level of commitment, and unless someone says it's a promise, it's not a promise.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by DannyB on Tuesday August 20 2019, @09:13PM (1 child)
If they don't know what they stand for, or against, can't clearly articulate their position, can't mean what they say and be honest to voters, then they shouldn't be running.
But of course, they're not running for the benefit of voters. Or the public. They aren't "public" servants. They are self serving.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Coward, Anonymous on Wednesday August 21 2019, @03:57AM
That's what the job's salary pays for. Other types of people might run for office if the pay was better. But the system wants politicians who can be bought.
(Score: 3, Touché) by fido_dogstoyevsky on Tuesday August 20 2019, @03:44AM
Twice a day, in fact.
It's NOT a conspiracy... it's a plot.