Kennedy Jr backtracks and says US measles outbreak is now a ‘top priority’ for health department

www.theguardian.com

Summary

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has reversed his stance on a measles outbreak in Texas, now calling it a "top priority" after initially describing it as "not unusual." This shift comes after the first U.S. measles death in a decade was reported.

Kennedy, known for his anti-vaccine views, announced his department would send 2,000 MMR vaccine doses to Texas.

CDC data shows 164 measles cases reported across nine jurisdictions as of February 27, with approximately 95% of infected individuals being unvaccinated.

Meanwhile, Kennedy's HHS department plans to eliminate public participation in many agency policy decisions, contradicting his previous promise of "radical transparency."

LeopardsAteMyFace @lemmy.ca

imvii @lemmy.ca

5mo ago

Kennedy Jr backtracks and says US measles outbreak is now a ‘top priority’ for health department

www.theguardian.com /us-news/2025/mar/01/kennedy-jr-measles-outbreak-health-department

News @lemmy.world

HellsBelle @sh.itjust.works

5mo ago

Kennedy Jr backtracks and says US measles outbreak is now a ‘top priority’ for health department

www.theguardian.com /us-news/2025/mar/01/kennedy-jr-measles-outbreak-health-department

35 comments

Why? Did it suddenly touch him personally? Is his brainworm infected, or something?
- Brainworm took a nap and he regained control for a moment. He will backtrack as soon as Baal wakes up.
  
  It might be the opposite: the worm is trying to save us (other potential hosts for its species).
  
  It’s not a parasitical relationship, it’s symbiotic: he is as dumb and has the same goals as the worm.
- I think the game plan is to let easily avoidable bad shit to happen so they can ride in and "save the day".
  
  Aww that's cute. No, it really is just insane amounts of incompetence.
  We've done this before.
  
  “Save the day” by changing their mind on vaccines? I… I suppose that makes them look… good? 🤷
- Someone explained to him with pictures and crayons how viruses and vaccines work.
"not unusual"...first U.S. measles death in a decade
Yup, things that don't happen for ten years are just run of the mill, nothing to see here.
department would send 2,000 MMR vaccine doses to Texas.
It's a bit late for that!
- It's really not too late, every unvaccinated person who receives a vaccine today is one person who's less likely to become a transmission vector. Also, this MMR shipment would potentially replenish dwindling stocks, because lots of people in West Texas who hadn't previously been vaccinated have already been getting vaccinated
  To be clear, I'm not defending RFK Jr and his literally insane ideas in any way
  
  I was being a bit facetious, but also there's a good chance there's enough unvaccinated people out there now acting as vectors that we might be looking at mutations that have overtaken the vaccine. Absolutely agree that the more people vaccinated the better, and I really hope it can out a stop to this outbreak!
  
  If only they didn't spend so much time weaponizing vaccines as bad...
- Think about it from RFK's perspective: he goes on an antivax campaign in California, and measles breaks out in Disneyland. He goes on an antivax campaign in Samoa, and measles break out in Samoa. He campaigns in Texas...measles outbreak. I'm sure it looks to him like measles is everywhere.
  
  What a good but terrifying point!
These days I wouldn't be surprised if his plan was something in the rethoric of "We will gather all of the infected and quarantine them in special epidemic camps. Then we will cleanse them with holy fire in specially designed room-sized holy incinerators."
- We could even get them to work a lot with no pay between the quarantine and holy fire bits.
NPR called it:
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/12/06/nx-s1-5218574/rfk-vaccines-anti-vaccine-infectious-disease
- Less of an insightful prediction, and more of a logical conclusion for anyone with more than two brain cells to rub together.
"Top priority" for the department? Is there any department left? I thought they were all let go in a cost cutting move.
Oh no, the wrong people are dying.
/s
He hasn’t yet developed his republican double-down muscle. Fortunately.
- Just wait until they start allocating vaccines to "appropriate recipients". TX? Sure. Oh, CA...sorry....
  
  He should call Cali governor to DC and berate him on camera for not saying thank you enough times
- Possibly thanks to the worm
why he a 2 face pos? he said it wasnt a problem, its a problem now? actions need consequences, and not taking action needs double the consequences. not taking action weeks ago seem like it became a problem today. fuck rfk
He realized that his main fanbase are the same ones that will clamor to shake his hand and infect him with the plague he encouraged.
And, boy howdy, I hope they do. 💅
- If I see a headline one day that RFK Jr dies to measles I will fucking frame it
I guess 2000 is a start.

35 comments