Summary

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has reversed his stance on a measles outbreak in Texas, now calling it a “top priority” after initially describing it as “not unusual.” This shift comes after the first U.S. measles death in a decade was reported.

Kennedy, known for his anti-vaccine views, announced his department would send 2,000 MMR vaccine doses to Texas.

CDC data shows 164 measles cases reported across nine jurisdictions as of February 27, with approximately 95% of infected individuals being unvaccinated.

Meanwhile, Kennedy’s HHS department plans to eliminate public participation in many agency policy decisions, contradicting his previous promise of “radical transparency.”

  • Eddbopkins@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    why he a 2 face pos? he said it wasnt a problem, its a problem now? actions need consequences, and not taking action needs double the consequences. not taking action weeks ago seem like it became a problem today. fuck rfk

  • collapse_already@lemmy.ml
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    “Top priority” for the department? Is there any department left? I thought they were all let go in a cost cutting move.

  • ajoebyanyothername@lemmy.world
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    “not unusual”…first U.S. measles death in a decade

    Yup, things that don’t happen for ten years are just run of the mill, nothing to see here.

    department would send 2,000 MMR vaccine doses to Texas.

    It’s a bit late for that!

    • protist@mander.xyz
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      It’s really not too late, every unvaccinated person who receives a vaccine today is one person who’s less likely to become a transmission vector. Also, this MMR shipment would potentially replenish dwindling stocks, because lots of people in West Texas who hadn’t previously been vaccinated have already been getting vaccinated

      To be clear, I’m not defending RFK Jr and his literally insane ideas in any way

      • ajoebyanyothername@lemmy.world
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        I was being a bit facetious, but also there’s a good chance there’s enough unvaccinated people out there now acting as vectors that we might be looking at mutations that have overtaken the vaccine. Absolutely agree that the more people vaccinated the better, and I really hope it can out a stop to this outbreak!

      • FiveMacs
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        If only they didn’t spend so much time weaponizing vaccines as bad…

    • tburkhol@lemmy.world
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      Think about it from RFK’s perspective: he goes on an antivax campaign in California, and measles breaks out in Disneyland. He goes on an antivax campaign in Samoa, and measles break out in Samoa. He campaigns in Texas…measles outbreak. I’m sure it looks to him like measles is everywhere.

  • SharkEatingBreakfast@sopuli.xyz
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    He realized that his main fanbase are the same ones that will clamor to shake his hand and infect him with the plague he encouraged.

    And, boy howdy, I hope they do. 💅

  • lath@lemmy.world
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    These days I wouldn’t be surprised if his plan was something in the rethoric of “We will gather all of the infected and quarantine them in special epidemic camps. Then we will cleanse them with holy fire in specially designed room-sized holy incinerators.”

    • officermike@lemmy.world
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      Less of an insightful prediction, and more of a logical conclusion for anyone with more than two brain cells to rub together.