To my understanding, flu / influenza is spread through droplets while COVID through aerosol. Any kind of masks are effective against droplet transmission.
2 Likes
There was undoubtedly a lot of debate over the transmission of the covid virus, much of it driven by anti-maskers who argued that due to the tiny size of aerosol particles the use of masks would be ineffective. They conveniently ignored the fact that although it seemed to be demonstrable that it could be spread by aerosol particles there was nothing to suggest that it was not also transmittable via the droplet route, which is what drove the whole ‘social distancing’ and mask-wearing thing.
So just because there are other routes of transmission doesn’t mean the easily-implemented measures against one route are not worthwhile.
1 Like
I think the other concept that anti-maskers couldn’t appreciate is that whilst a low grade mask may not be a totally effective barrier for the virus carried in aerosol form, it would prevent mass quantities of the virus from entering the air from an infected person also wearing a mask.
People just couldn’t appreciate , or perhaps care-a-less about mask wearing themselves to stop other people getting it.
It’s the same principle for getting an MMR vaccine as a child - whilst for most people, measles is an annoyance on par with flu, having the vaccine my prevent someone else getting very ill, losing their sight, or dying from this disease.
1 Like
Ah, the non-science argument.
There was a study that showed masks reduce the outward particle emission rates by 90% and 74% on average during speaking and coughing, respectively, compared to wearing no mask.
2 Likes
Curiously, Renaissance and Enlightenment came and ended while child mortality stayed around 50%. Mortality stayed high regardless of French Revolution or plenty of countries becoming independent in America. The results of the Industrial Revolution (enough food), science (germ theory & vaccines), and engineering ( widespread clean water and sanitation) started to have a significant around 1900.
Back to the US context: “How to avoid vaccines and die like a settler in the American Frontier”.
The most worrying thing about the anti-vax morons is that the effects of their idiocy will take probably 20 years or more before they even start making a statistical difference, and it will be the children and grandchildren who will suffer.
As a political weapon it’s brilliant - some people who voted for us don’t like something, we’ll ban it regardless of the damage that will do, but we personally won’t be affected and won’t be held accountable within our own lifetimes. A no-lose for the politicians, a no-win for the world.
From BBC:
A rapidly spreading outbreak of measles in Texas has killed two people, US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy, Jr, said on Wednesday.
They are the first mortalities from measles in the US in nearly a decade.
One of those victims was an unvaccinated child who died in a Texas hospital after testing positive for measles, according to the state’s health department.
Secretary Kennedy, who was speaking at the first cabinet meeting for President Donald Trump’s current term, did not give any information on the other victim and the BBC was not able to confirm the death.
———-
1 Like
In addition to Texas (198 cases, 1 death) and New Mexico (30 cases, 1 death), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed measles cases in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York City, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington.
Health officials believe there are more cases due to untested people.
Measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000. This meant the absence of the continuous spread of disease was greater than 12 months. This was thanks to a highly effective vaccination program in the United States, as well as better measles control in the Americas region.
By the end of 2022, 83 countries (43% of all countries) had been verified by independent regional commissions to have achieved or maintained measles elimination,
Well, how is that different than getting your children vaccinated? Both methods give your Children immunity from future measles virus infections.
It the kid catches the contagious viral disease that can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and long-term immune suppression. The fatality rate is approximately 1 to 3 deaths per 1,000 cases, with young children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals at higher risk. Globally, measles caused over 107,000 deaths in 2023, mostly among unvaccinated children under five years old. Vaccination is highly effective in preventing the disease and its complications.
The measles vaccine, including the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) and MMRV (measles-mumps-rubella-varicella) vaccines, is generally very safe. Serious adverse events are extremely rare, and the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks.
• Common Side Effects: Mild reactions such as fever, rash, or pain at the injection site occur in some individuals.
• Rare Risks: Febrile seizures occur in about 1 in 3,000 to 4,000 children after vaccination. Severe reactions like anaphylaxis or encephalitis are extremely rare—about 1 case per million doses.
• Deaths: No deaths have been linked to the MMR vaccine in healthy individuals. However, it is not recommended for people with compromised immune systems due to potential risks.
Vaccination is much safer than contracting measles, which can cause severe complications or death.
What this idiot is “remembering” is RUBELLA parties, not measles. And pregnant women were kept well away. The only people I knew of who did this were those who were too dumb to get vaccinated.
1 Like
Maybe I should have summarised. Catching the disease causes 100,000 deaths. Getting the vaccine causes 0 deaths.
Chicken Pox causes approximately 7,000 deaths a year
Darwin was right - feel free to remove your children from the gene pool, please.
1 Like
Based on her age, I’m pretty sure that she would have had the MMR vax as a child. Anti-vaxxers weren’t a huge thing back then, and the issues related to M M and R were still fairly fresh in people’s memory.
I suspect she’s thinking of chicken pox parties. I know that vaccine wasn’t developed until I was an adult, and I’d already had chicken pox as a young child. She probably had chicken pox as a child too.
2 Likes
More than 300 cases of measles, one of the most contagious viruses in the world, have now been confirmed across more than a dozen U.S. states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday.
Very contagious disease, one tme the US declared it was wiped out but as vaccinated levels fell so there was more opportunity for it to spread.
So far it is not an explosive outbreak and I hope it will fade away again.
The actual case count is likely higher. The agency said it’s aware of more “probable” measles cases that are still under investigation.
People who support RFKjr claims about vaccines causing autism are linking this to mercury in traditional vaccines with little evidence
If you think that we can follow the route Lewis and Clarke took by the mercury in the ground where they had a pee when they camped.
Just for amusement
One of the anti-vaxxers on Twitter is claiming Elon’s AI named Grok is dangerous because he asked it if everyone should be inoculated with the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. It gave an unequivocal “yes” with a long supporting explanation about the benefits and safety.
4 Likes
Astonishingly infectious.
If 10 unvaccinated people are in a room with someone with the measles, nine will get infected.
You can even get it if you enter a room where an infected person was two hours before.
I suppose the only promising thing about these outbreaks is most Americans don’t have a passport, or indeed travel interstate so that will help reduce the spread.
2 Likes
I asked Perplexity the same question about measles. No surprises
Vaccinating the eligible global population with measles injections is strongly advisable based on the evidence:
-
Effectiveness and Safety: The measles vaccine is highly effective, with two doses providing 97% protection against measles. It is also safe, with only mild side effects for most individuals[3][6].
-
Preventing Severe Outcomes: Measles can cause severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and death, particularly in malnourished children under five. Vaccination prevents these outcomes and reduces mortality[1][7].
-
Global Impact: Since 2000, measles vaccines have saved an estimated 60 million lives. However, declining immunization rates have led to a resurgence of cases globally, underscoring the need for widespread vaccination[1][7].
-
Community Protection: Achieving a 95% vaccination rate is necessary to prevent outbreaks and protect those who cannot be vaccinated, such as immunocompromised individuals[7][9].
Given the vaccine’s proven benefits and the risks of under-vaccination, prioritizing global measles immunization is critical for public health.
Sources
[1] Why CDC Is Involved with Global Measles Why CDC Is Involved with Global Measles | Global Measles Vaccination | CDC
[2] Should adults get a booster shot of measles and other childhood … Should adults get booster shots of childhood vaccines? What to know amid Texas measles outbreak
[3] Measles Vaccination - CDC Measles Vaccination | Measles (Rubeola) | CDC
[4] Should You Get a Measles Vaccine Booster? > News > Yale Medicine Should You Get a Measles Vaccine Booster? > News > Yale Medicine
[5] Measles Vaccination: Know the Facts - IDSA Measles Vaccination: Know the Facts
[6] What to know about the measles vaccine — from who should get … What to know about the measles vaccine — from who should get one, to how long immunity lasts | CBC News
[7] As Measles Cases Surge in Texas, WHO’s Global Control Program … As Measles Cases Surge in Texas, WHO’s Global Control Program Risks Collapse - SWI swissinfo.ch
[8] MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine - NHS MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine - NHS
[9] Measles outbreaks show the risks of under-vaccination https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/measles-outbreaks-show-the-risks-of-under-vaccination/
1 Like
There are still so many US people on Twitter who believe that the MMR jab causes autism even though there’s absolutely zero evidence.
And to think these crazies have guns.
1 Like