r/publichealth • u/esporx • Mar 15 '25

ADVICE Keeping With Kennedy’s Advice, Measles Patients Turn to Unproven Treatments

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/15/health/measles-texas-kennedy.html
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5

u/MommaIsMad Mar 15 '25

My DIL is an RN & a big fan of RFK Jr. I just found out that my grandkids haven't been vaccinated for anything. I knew she was anti-vax on Covid but didn't realize she's fully drinking the Kool Aid. I'm their only babysitter & now I've got to worry about measles myself. I was born in '57, which seems to be some magical cut-off of whether we need to get the shot now. I had all those diseases as a kid before vaccines (except polio vax, which was newly available at the time). Waiting to hear back from my doctor and see about getting the titer done to see if I still have immunity

15

u/grandmawaffles Mar 15 '25

Stop babysitting. Make it a requirement for you just like the schools.

2

u/MommaIsMad Mar 16 '25

The kids are in public school which is why I thought they had all the basics. But it's Utah & everything is really, really stupid here. I won't stop babysitting but I will not watch them if they have any signs or symptoms of any illness. I've had all the recommended & recent vaccines but I never had MMR as I had the diseases. I don't want to lose access to my son & grandkids & I really enjoy babysitting them.

8

u/sailorpaul Mar 16 '25

That’s not gonna work out. By the time they have symptoms, the horse has already left the barn. For many viral infections they are contagious before they have symptoms.

4

u/grandmawaffles Mar 16 '25

Oof. Good luck.

4

u/Specialist_Fault8380 Mar 16 '25

You can wear masks around them. High quality respirators like N95s will protect you significantly. Unfortunately you can’t rely on just handwashing.

5

u/Big_Primrose Mar 16 '25

It’s even more horrifying that she’s in healthcare. She’s a quack.

3

u/bluewhale3030 Mar 16 '25

I would see if you can get the vaccine yourself and limit your contact with your grandchildren if they're showing symptoms

1

u/MommaIsMad Mar 17 '25

Yes, that's my plan. I don't know the availability of the vaccine here in anti-vax Utah, but I'm waiting to hear from my VA doctor to see what she says. I tried to go to Walgreens to check but they were too slow so I gave up.

1

u/Rare_Shoulder4533 Mar 18 '25

I am in Utah and close to your age. I got an updated MMR at Walgreens no problem, also updated polio, in advance of international travel. No issues.

1

u/MommaIsMad Mar 18 '25

I called Walgreens and even though I have Medicare, the cost is prohibitive so I'll have to do without. Oh well 🤷‍♀️