The #AVLWatchdog has a story on our country's slide into "irresponsible ignorance" as Buncombe County NC announces 5 cases of #measles.

I am simply without words for how we can do this to ourselves.

https://avlwatchdog.org/opinion-measles-outbreak-one-more-sign-of-the-slide-into-irresponsible-ignorance/

Opinion: Measles outbreak one more sign of the slide into irresponsible ignorance

I don’t often agree with U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina who’s recently been quite vocal in his criticism of some Trump Administration policies. But when Tillis said in a floor speech earlier this month, “I’m sick of stupid,” referring to Trump’s push to take over Greenland, which is owned by Denmark, […]

Asheville Watchdog

In addition to all the potentially disastrous effects of a case of #measles, there is also something it induces called "immune amnesia." If you follow @mackayim2022 he had an excellent thread on this some time ago.

It basically means that your body forgets how to fight off other infections.

"One of the most unique—and most dangerous—features of measles pathogenesis is its ability to reset the immune systems of infected patients. During the acute phase of infection, measles induces immune suppression through a process called immune amnesia."

https://asm.org/articles/2019/may/measles-and-immune-amnesia

Measles and Immune Amnesia | ASM.org

Measles is much more serious than a rash and fever: it also causes immune amnesia and leaves patients especially vulnerable to secondary infection.

ASM.org

@czarbucks @mackayim2022 I got my immunization as a kid but last year had a blood test to check on that immunity. Test determined that I was not immune to measles so I got a booster shot.

I urge anyone 50+ to do the same.

Right now I'm kind of upset because I'm recommending that a 70yo friend of mine confirm immunity and get a shot if necessary before she gets on an airplane to Florida and she doesn't think it's worth it.

@czarbucks @mackayim2022 I just don't get it. Why would somebody put themselves at risk when it is completely avoidable? She's not afraid of vaccines; she's going to get a Covid shot and a flu shot (although I think she's a little late for the flu shot). Medicare would probably cover it all. It makes no sense to me.