One measly political argument
Hardly anything, it seems, escapes partisan politics.
Let’s take measles.
Back in 2000, America’s medical scientists had declared that measles had nearly been eradicated in this country.
Unfortunately, though, two years earlier, a British doctor, Andrew Wakefield, had published a study that indicated that the measles vaccine may be a contributing factor in causing childhood brain damage and autism.
Wakefield’s “study” was hardly comprehensive. He based his findings on his examinations of just 12 children.
What followed was a boatload full of epidemiological studies that debunked Wakefield’s assertions. In fact, the British Medical Journal called his research “fraudulent.”
Not only that, Wakefield had his medical license revoked by British medical authorities.
The fact is, the vaccine used to prevent measles, mumps and rubella has been considered safe and effective, despite the growing numbers of parents who’ve decided to opt-out of having their children take it.
Yet, a disease that was thought to have been vanquished 15 years ago, is now returning in alarming numbers.
In December, medical scientists traced a new outbreak of the disease to Disneyland.
That’s not too surprising. California is one of the leading states in the country that allows a wide range of parental exemptions for avoiding measles vaccinations.
Last month, nearly twice as many people in the United States were diagnosed with measles (102), than there were for all of 2012 (55).
None of this would have a particularly partisan political odor, since many libertarians (on the right) and liberals (on the left) share the same disinclination to have their children vaccinated.
Enter Chris Christie.
Back in 2009, he wrote a letter to anti-vaccinationists which indicated his support for them. “I stand with them now, and will stand with them as their governor in their fight for greater parental involvement in vaccination decisions that affect their children.”
In nearly six years, Christie has had lots of time to rethink his vote-grabbing opinions about “government overreach” in the face of overwhelming medical science.
He hasn’t done that.
Last week, while he was on a trade mission in England, he blindly ventured into the vaccination debate again.
He admitted he’d had his own children vaccinated, but still left open the possibility for parents to make their own decisions about it.
“I also understand that parents need to have some measure of choice as well. So that’s the balance the government has to decide,” he said.
That from a guy who’d just left a research facility that manufactures a certain nasal influenza vaccine.
Christie would later have to “clarify” his statements.
“The governor believes vaccines are an important public health protection and with a disease like measles there is no question kids should be vaccinated,” said a communique from his office.
But Rand Paul wouldn’t be outdone in the “speak first, think later,” category.
“I have heard of many tragic cases of walking, talking, normal children who wound up with profound mental disorders after vaccines,” says Paul, a medical doctor by trade, who ought to know better.
And he kept going.
“I think parents should have the input. The state doesn’t own your children. Parents own the children, and it is an issue of freedom and public health,” says the ophthalmologist, who must certainly know that around the world, measles is one of the leading causes of childhood blindness.
To his credit, Ben Carson, a possible Republican presidential candidate, who also happens to be a renowned medical doctor, disagrees with both Christie and Paul.
He firmly believes parents should have their children vaccinated.
But for now, Christie, and even more so Paul appear to be fighting a battle that has already been lost.
Yes, the government can take firm steps to prevent public health problems.
In fact, it can do that in other areas.
The next time you approach a traffic light, and it’s on “red,” go anyway.
Tell the officer and the attending EMS working that you’ve decided that government can’t tell you when to stop or go.
That traffic lights are just another example of “government overreach.”
See how that works.
Edward A. Owens is a three-time Emmy Award winner and 20-year veteran of television news. E-mail him at freedoms@bellatlantic.net