We are still dealing with the fallout of Stephen Jay Gould’s “Non-Overlapping Magisteria” (NOMA). While scientists were attempting to separate themselves from unverifiable religious claims, the soothsayers, snake oil salesmen (or is it now salesperson?), and a plethora of other quacks, jumped onto the bandwagon. All of this has resulted in a general distrust of science and medicine.

For some reason, reasonable minds did not realize that these mystics and impostors would not play by the same rules. They were never content limiting themselves to the realm of the supernatural, and they vowed to never rest until their diseased way of thinking affected us all (pun intended). Nowhere is this more evident than in the recent measles outbreak.

The New York Times has reported that despite the fact that the United States declared measles vanquished 15 years ago, vaccination deniers have triggered its return. Now children in over 14 states have been exposed to the horrendous disease. The article quotes school superintendent, John Carroll, as saying, “A lot of people here have personal beliefs that are faith based,” and that some “raise their children in a natural, organic environment.” Both of these groups maintain a wide-ranging distrust of the pharmaceutical and medical communities. A perfect example of this is found in this quote from the article from a California mother who refused to vaccinate her daughter:

“There is absolutely no reason to get the shot,” said Crystal McDonald, whose 16-year-old daughter was one of 66 students sent home from Palm Desert High School for the next two weeks because they did not have full measles immunizations. After researching the issue and reading information from a national anti-vaccine group, Ms. McDonald said she and her husband, a chiropractor, decided to raise their four children without vaccines. She said they ate well and had never been to the doctor, and she insisted that her daughter was healthier than many classmates. But when the school sent her home with a letter, Ms. McDonald’s daughter was so concerned about missing two weeks of Advanced Placement classes that she suggested simply getting a measles inoculation. “I said, ‘No, absolutely not,’ “Ms. McDonald said. “I said, ‘I’d rather you miss an entire semester than you get the shot.’”

Vote Seeking Politicians and a Call to Action

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