I remember when people got vaccinated for TWO reasons: to protect themselves and to protect others! It was part of being a responsible citizen. And...by the way...the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine also protects fetuses in a woman's first trimester. If the pregnant woman catches rubella during that time, it can cause the fetus's death, or multiple serious birth defects. I have to wonder just how many of those who oppose ANY vaccines have any scientific or medical science background or knowledge upon which to base their beliefs. The reality is that ANY medication can cause a death. Anyone can have a bad reaction to a med.
Yes, when people didn't care only about themselves. When you thought about how your choices and actions would affect others. Some of us still try to be descent human beings.
I suspect you are correct...or very close to it. I grew up with a parent who was an RN, and she was very smart and believed vaccines would save millions, which they have. I also have a degree in chemistry, and read a lot of real science.
Unfortunately not true. I have a family member (by marriage) with a master's in bio, and they refuse to vaccinate their children. They are not MAGA but they believe the anti-vax (and other) conspiracy theories. They cannot be reasoned with.
Well..there's always an exception to what should be reasonable. This is very sad to hear. My big question is, what area of bio is the degree in? Maybe it's not human bio, or immunology. Maybe it's botany!
I think it's bio-chemistry and believe it or not she worked in a research lab on an immunology (human) project. These are people who consider themselves critical thinkers. I don't understand how they reached the irrational conclusions they did and we're beyond trying to discuss it; they will not be changing their mind at this point.
This is really frightening...especially for their children, because I suspect the parents are vaccinated. I can't wrap my head around their ability to isolate and ignore their expertise, and at the expense of their children's well-being. Oh, my!
I know, but they think they're doing the right thing and are otherwise good parents, and yes both parents are fully vaccinated (but not with any adult vaccines like flue or COVID). Just got confirmation that her Master's is in Biomedical Sciences/immunology. I just don't get it - very scary.
How sad for their children! I suppose there are a number of people out there for whom emotion overcomes the rational mind. Even me: sometimes my hyperbole outpaces my logic (I have no doubt there are anti-vax physicians, even!).
There was a huge measles outbreak in the early and mid 60s. Most of the students at the school of the deaf (where I went) had mothers who caught it while they were pregnant.
I know I've said this somewhere before, but one of my cousins suffered vision, hearing and brain/learning damage from having measles before there was a vaccine. These childhood diseases were much more dangerous than people realize even now.
That's the time period I had the measles. All these many years later I still remember how miserable I was and how worried everyone was. You should do everything possible to prevent your child from getting this virus.
Hope is absolutely right. People will start having to be screened before entering places like airline terminals or concert venues. Remember how it was in COVID? Now we have a self-imposed repeat.
Painful …. And thank you…. ‘Vaccinated for TWO reasons…. “. And sadly, why your statement is so telling… ‘to protect themselves and to protect others’……. TO PROTECT OTHERS!!!!!
I strongly oppose the confirmation of my cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
His views on vaccines, public health, and science are dangerous and demonstrably false. He has repeatedly promoted conspiracy theories, undermined trust in medical institutions, and spread misinformation with real-world consequences, including preventable illness and death.
Public health policy must be grounded in rigorous science, evidence, and consensus—not ideology or personal grievance. The Department of Health and Human Services plays a critical role in safeguarding the health of millions of Americans, particularly children, the elderly, and the most vulnerable.
My family has long supported science-based public health, including vaccination programs that have saved countless lives. Appointing someone who has spent years attacking these foundations would put the nation at serious risk.
For these reasons, I urge you to reject this nomination in the strongest possible terms.
I just read it, and it is heartbreaking. I was lucky enough to beat cancer more than 35 years ago, and I got to see my daughters grow up. My chemo almost killed me because it knocked out most of my blood cells. I wasn't much older than Tatiana when it was diagnosed, and my daughters were older than her children when I was diagnosed. RFK,Jr. is dangerous, and he's going to cause many deaths.
Mary , i already read on the New Yorker i almost could not finish the essay writing by herself and had the same feeling of you The first thing that came actoor though : how many tragedies hit these family . For my age being around 8/9 yers I remember JFK assesination and then came the rest of family loose
Kennedy ‘ name is an example of resilience and public service . Tatiana’ brother has already understood a political career
This just proves again that you can’t fix stupidity. These assholes and their families are all vaccinated as are all the people over 50. They don’t care if if lots of kids and older adults and immunocompromised people die. They don’t care! No in tact public health system and stupid unqualified assholes running our healthcare infrastructure equals a lot of disease and death. His followers are too stupid to to care. They will Scarface their families rather than admit he orange anus is a fraud and conman who is making millions off of their stupidity. Never in all my 77 years would I have thought there were so many asdholes in this country. Fuck trump and fuck you for voting for him and fuck you for continuing to support him.
I will err on the side of Science always. This isn’t the 1800s. These vaccines have proven success. I remember as a child of the ‘50s children infected by measles with permanent damage and deaths. We need to not go there again just because a demented narcissist wants to appear smarter than the average scientist. He’s not and millions died during COVID because of his selfish buffoonery. Let’s not do that again.
Quacks - when I was a kid(a loooong time ago), that's what they called medical frauds. Even sicker than them is their following who buy into this stupidity! Yeah, let's believe some extremist lunatic's OPINIONS rather than proven scientific facts!!! I won't get a tested and trialed Covid vaccination, but I'll take a parasite treatment for horses (Ivermectin) that's never been tested for treating humans for Covid!!! WTF??? I was one of the fortunate to survive measles at six years old. But I will NEVER forget the misery of burning up with fever out of control. I choose science thank you!!!
Polio has returned in some places. Maybe all these anti-vax folks should spend and iron lung and think about how they'd like to spend the rest of their lives in one. I actually saw one in the Smithsonian, and the thought of anyone having to live in one terrified me.
Yes, that would be a good lesson for them. How can they not see how very fortunate we are to have all the benefits of medical science? I remain grateful!
The MAGA won't bother with a iron lung to save anyone. They will decide it's God's Will and let them go. Notice how MAGA Politicians have cut off Medical Services to a majority of the public. The leaders of the Religious Right are behind the destruction of the Middle Class and Democracy because they looked at the falling beliefs and church attendance in Europe and decided that people only turned to Religion during a crisis and when their living was unstable. Therefore they are destabilizing the USA. Prayers instead of Government aid.
We didn't import it. Trump and RFK imported it and told lies about the CDC and medical science to kill Americans. Do you not understand Trump wants 100M Americans dead by 2028 to quell population?!!💯💯 Per Project 2025? The thing is Americans need to decide what is best for their own health. I'm vaccinated and will stay vaccinated as long as my NC governor keeps doing his job!! Texas is already dying and there will be more to come if we don't get this🟠🐷💩 out of office along with the whole regime, NOW!! HE'S GOT TO GO!! REMOVE, CONVICT, AND IMPRISON 2026
There are inherent risks in every thing we do. And yet, people are still here.
As previously stated, herd immunity is achieved when a majority of the population is vaccinated, or has immunity from prior infection. The virus has fewer people to replicate within.
Doing your own research and being informed by experts in their field, should be given serious consideration.
It’s true that some people have complications. But how many more would die if no one got vaccinated.
I put my trust in credible science based research and factual evidence.
I tried to explain it to a few people who told me to "do my own research." I told them it was in Pub Med but they used YouTube. (Retired RN with degrees in biology, animal science and public health) Sigh.
At 89, I remember when there were NO vaccines…. And Rheumatic Fever was a horror with RED notices on doors and the death of a 3 yr old (stepped on a nail, no tetanus shots) and the incredible JOY when the Polio vaccine was available…. The iron lung is terrifying to see a friend encased in one…. I had the measles…. Pretty damn sick…. Willful ignorance and mean power, and ‘they’ are vaccinated and ‘their’ children (pretty sure) ARE vaccinated…. W H Y!!!???
I wish the only people who would catch awful diseases like measles, mumps, rubella, smallpox, etc. were MAGA idiots. The world would be a far, far better place if only they would all succumb to those illnesses. (And, sorry, while I love kids and don't wish ill on any child, if they inherit their parents special genes for stupidity and arrogance, then . . .)
But alas, these horrid people infect others who are innocent of their mental illness and emotional intelligence deficit. Children at school or in playgrounds or church, adults who are immuno-compromised, the elderly, and others.
George Washington mandated the smallpox vaccination for his/our first soldiers 250 years ago, and we won our independence. It's time for the realists -- left, center, progressive Democrats everywhere -- to put our foot down and tell these effing idiots, "YES, there are mandated, required, non-optional vaccinations that are essential for civilization, and if you don't get vaccinated for any reason other than a proven health condition (no "conscience" or "religious exceptions" allowed), then you are prohibited from going ANYWHERE in public. No school, no church, no stores, no parks, no movies, no NOTHING. You want to be unvaccinated? Fine. Do it at home. You're under house arrest."
But there's not a Democratic politician in the country with the balls to even suggest that.
They should at least mandate vaccines for children to attend public school. No vaccines, go to private school or home school - PERIOD! And stop whining about "my rights". No one has the right to jeopardize public health!!!
It is infuriating how the healthy young adults complaining are not the high risk group. Their greed bleeds over into selfishness for inflicting death on the most vulnerable.
I remember when people got vaccinated for TWO reasons: to protect themselves and to protect others! It was part of being a responsible citizen. And...by the way...the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine also protects fetuses in a woman's first trimester. If the pregnant woman catches rubella during that time, it can cause the fetus's death, or multiple serious birth defects. I have to wonder just how many of those who oppose ANY vaccines have any scientific or medical science background or knowledge upon which to base their beliefs. The reality is that ANY medication can cause a death. Anyone can have a bad reaction to a med.
Yes, when people didn't care only about themselves. When you thought about how your choices and actions would affect others. Some of us still try to be descent human beings.
You are very brave. I thought about that but assumed I would be attacked. Now I'll stand with you in support!
How many have any scientific or medical science background?
ZERO. None. Nada. Nil. Zip. Nary a one.
I suspect you are correct...or very close to it. I grew up with a parent who was an RN, and she was very smart and believed vaccines would save millions, which they have. I also have a degree in chemistry, and read a lot of real science.
Unfortunately not true. I have a family member (by marriage) with a master's in bio, and they refuse to vaccinate their children. They are not MAGA but they believe the anti-vax (and other) conspiracy theories. They cannot be reasoned with.
Well..there's always an exception to what should be reasonable. This is very sad to hear. My big question is, what area of bio is the degree in? Maybe it's not human bio, or immunology. Maybe it's botany!
I think it's bio-chemistry and believe it or not she worked in a research lab on an immunology (human) project. These are people who consider themselves critical thinkers. I don't understand how they reached the irrational conclusions they did and we're beyond trying to discuss it; they will not be changing their mind at this point.
This is really frightening...especially for their children, because I suspect the parents are vaccinated. I can't wrap my head around their ability to isolate and ignore their expertise, and at the expense of their children's well-being. Oh, my!
I know, but they think they're doing the right thing and are otherwise good parents, and yes both parents are fully vaccinated (but not with any adult vaccines like flue or COVID). Just got confirmation that her Master's is in Biomedical Sciences/immunology. I just don't get it - very scary.
Wow!!!
How sad for their children! I suppose there are a number of people out there for whom emotion overcomes the rational mind. Even me: sometimes my hyperbole outpaces my logic (I have no doubt there are anti-vax physicians, even!).
There was a huge measles outbreak in the early and mid 60s. Most of the students at the school of the deaf (where I went) had mothers who caught it while they were pregnant.
I know I've said this somewhere before, but one of my cousins suffered vision, hearing and brain/learning damage from having measles before there was a vaccine. These childhood diseases were much more dangerous than people realize even now.
I shudder at the thought of polio making a comeback
It already has...in New York State.
That's the time period I had the measles. All these many years later I still remember how miserable I was and how worried everyone was. You should do everything possible to prevent your child from getting this virus.
Hope is absolutely right. People will start having to be screened before entering places like airline terminals or concert venues. Remember how it was in COVID? Now we have a self-imposed repeat.
Painful …. And thank you…. ‘Vaccinated for TWO reasons…. “. And sadly, why your statement is so telling… ‘to protect themselves and to protect others’……. TO PROTECT OTHERS!!!!!
The abject stupidity overwhelms me.
Remember Caroline Kennedy’letter
Dear Senators,
I strongly oppose the confirmation of my cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
His views on vaccines, public health, and science are dangerous and demonstrably false. He has repeatedly promoted conspiracy theories, undermined trust in medical institutions, and spread misinformation with real-world consequences, including preventable illness and death.
Public health policy must be grounded in rigorous science, evidence, and consensus—not ideology or personal grievance. The Department of Health and Human Services plays a critical role in safeguarding the health of millions of Americans, particularly children, the elderly, and the most vulnerable.
My family has long supported science-based public health, including vaccination programs that have saved countless lives. Appointing someone who has spent years attacking these foundations would put the nation at serious risk.
For these reasons, I urge you to reject this nomination in the strongest possible terms.
Sincerely,
Caroline Kennedy
Read Tatiana Schlossberg’s heartbreaking essay in the New Yorker.
I just read it, and it is heartbreaking. I was lucky enough to beat cancer more than 35 years ago, and I got to see my daughters grow up. My chemo almost killed me because it knocked out most of my blood cells. I wasn't much older than Tatiana when it was diagnosed, and my daughters were older than her children when I was diagnosed. RFK,Jr. is dangerous, and he's going to cause many deaths.
Kudos to you—what you experienced & survived is VERY hard—hugs!!!
Retired oncology nurse here—I agree RE RFK.
Thank you for your kind words! I'm very grateful to be around to console others...AND to be a grandma!
YOU are very strong. God bless you!
I also had wonderful doctors who took care of both my body and my spirits!
Mary , i already read on the New Yorker i almost could not finish the essay writing by herself and had the same feeling of you The first thing that came actoor though : how many tragedies hit these family . For my age being around 8/9 yers I remember JFK assesination and then came the rest of family loose
Kennedy ‘ name is an example of resilience and public service . Tatiana’ brother has already understood a political career
No vaccine to combat stupidity, which has reached true epidemic status.
This just proves again that you can’t fix stupidity. These assholes and their families are all vaccinated as are all the people over 50. They don’t care if if lots of kids and older adults and immunocompromised people die. They don’t care! No in tact public health system and stupid unqualified assholes running our healthcare infrastructure equals a lot of disease and death. His followers are too stupid to to care. They will Scarface their families rather than admit he orange anus is a fraud and conman who is making millions off of their stupidity. Never in all my 77 years would I have thought there were so many asdholes in this country. Fuck trump and fuck you for voting for him and fuck you for continuing to support him.
I will err on the side of Science always. This isn’t the 1800s. These vaccines have proven success. I remember as a child of the ‘50s children infected by measles with permanent damage and deaths. We need to not go there again just because a demented narcissist wants to appear smarter than the average scientist. He’s not and millions died during COVID because of his selfish buffoonery. Let’s not do that again.
Well said!
RFK2 has just announced a new logo and motto for DHS. The eagle will be replaced by a black raven and the new motto is Bring Out Your Dead.
Why not just use the "guy" with the sickle for the logo?
I wonder how happy they'll be when their sons get the mumps and then they're sterile and can't get anyone pregnant?
It happened to one of my uncles,he had 3 wives and zero kids,because of having mumps as a child.
Yet ANOTHER reason to be vaccinated! I actually left that out of my above comment by mistake. Thank you for including it in this discussion!
Quacks - when I was a kid(a loooong time ago), that's what they called medical frauds. Even sicker than them is their following who buy into this stupidity! Yeah, let's believe some extremist lunatic's OPINIONS rather than proven scientific facts!!! I won't get a tested and trialed Covid vaccination, but I'll take a parasite treatment for horses (Ivermectin) that's never been tested for treating humans for Covid!!! WTF??? I was one of the fortunate to survive measles at six years old. But I will NEVER forget the misery of burning up with fever out of control. I choose science thank you!!!
Polio has returned in some places. Maybe all these anti-vax folks should spend and iron lung and think about how they'd like to spend the rest of their lives in one. I actually saw one in the Smithsonian, and the thought of anyone having to live in one terrified me.
Yes, that would be a good lesson for them. How can they not see how very fortunate we are to have all the benefits of medical science? I remain grateful!
This should say: Anti-vax folks should spend time in an iron lung...is this AI in action?
The MAGA won't bother with a iron lung to save anyone. They will decide it's God's Will and let them go. Notice how MAGA Politicians have cut off Medical Services to a majority of the public. The leaders of the Religious Right are behind the destruction of the Middle Class and Democracy because they looked at the falling beliefs and church attendance in Europe and decided that people only turned to Religion during a crisis and when their living was unstable. Therefore they are destabilizing the USA. Prayers instead of Government aid.
Yep...more mass murder! Premeditated, by the way!
Just our luck that when the Zombie Apocalypse comes, they'll avoid RFK, Jr. like the plague.
Because he's got worms.
To And very obviously, they're residing in his f'd up brain!!!
We didn't import it. Trump and RFK imported it and told lies about the CDC and medical science to kill Americans. Do you not understand Trump wants 100M Americans dead by 2028 to quell population?!!💯💯 Per Project 2025? The thing is Americans need to decide what is best for their own health. I'm vaccinated and will stay vaccinated as long as my NC governor keeps doing his job!! Texas is already dying and there will be more to come if we don't get this🟠🐷💩 out of office along with the whole regime, NOW!! HE'S GOT TO GO!! REMOVE, CONVICT, AND IMPRISON 2026
There are inherent risks in every thing we do. And yet, people are still here.
As previously stated, herd immunity is achieved when a majority of the population is vaccinated, or has immunity from prior infection. The virus has fewer people to replicate within.
Doing your own research and being informed by experts in their field, should be given serious consideration.
It’s true that some people have complications. But how many more would die if no one got vaccinated.
I put my trust in credible science based research and factual evidence.
I tried to explain it to a few people who told me to "do my own research." I told them it was in Pub Med but they used YouTube. (Retired RN with degrees in biology, animal science and public health) Sigh.
There's very little more dangerous than the combination of stupidity and arrogance.
You cannot educate someone who has a closed mind and doesn't want to learn. All you can do is try.
I agree...and that is so sad...and dangerous!
At 89, I remember when there were NO vaccines…. And Rheumatic Fever was a horror with RED notices on doors and the death of a 3 yr old (stepped on a nail, no tetanus shots) and the incredible JOY when the Polio vaccine was available…. The iron lung is terrifying to see a friend encased in one…. I had the measles…. Pretty damn sick…. Willful ignorance and mean power, and ‘they’ are vaccinated and ‘their’ children (pretty sure) ARE vaccinated…. W H Y!!!???
I wish the only people who would catch awful diseases like measles, mumps, rubella, smallpox, etc. were MAGA idiots. The world would be a far, far better place if only they would all succumb to those illnesses. (And, sorry, while I love kids and don't wish ill on any child, if they inherit their parents special genes for stupidity and arrogance, then . . .)
But alas, these horrid people infect others who are innocent of their mental illness and emotional intelligence deficit. Children at school or in playgrounds or church, adults who are immuno-compromised, the elderly, and others.
George Washington mandated the smallpox vaccination for his/our first soldiers 250 years ago, and we won our independence. It's time for the realists -- left, center, progressive Democrats everywhere -- to put our foot down and tell these effing idiots, "YES, there are mandated, required, non-optional vaccinations that are essential for civilization, and if you don't get vaccinated for any reason other than a proven health condition (no "conscience" or "religious exceptions" allowed), then you are prohibited from going ANYWHERE in public. No school, no church, no stores, no parks, no movies, no NOTHING. You want to be unvaccinated? Fine. Do it at home. You're under house arrest."
But there's not a Democratic politician in the country with the balls to even suggest that.
They should at least mandate vaccines for children to attend public school. No vaccines, go to private school or home school - PERIOD! And stop whining about "my rights". No one has the right to jeopardize public health!!!
Totally agree, Susan Rose. Totally.
Add my voice in agreement!
It is infuriating how the healthy young adults complaining are not the high risk group. Their greed bleeds over into selfishness for inflicting death on the most vulnerable.