With the measles outbreak continuing to spread, the city of Berkeley
is poised to take action.
The city’s public health department is recommending a 21-day quarantine for all unvaccinated children, at local schools where there is a measles outbreak.
“It’s an absolutely standard public health practice and public health recommendation,” said Berkeley public health officer Dr. Janet Berreman.
This is welcome news considering that in the Bay Area,
30 babies were recently isolated due to measles exposure. And just this week, 14 babies in Santa Monica have also been isolated after being exposed to measles
at a day care facility.
How would Berkeley enforce this?
When asked how the city would ensure children would stay home, Berreman said, “There are legal teeth in that we can issue formal orders. We usually don’t have to go to that point, but we certainly can and we certainly have.” [...]
As of Monday night, there are six cases of measles in Alameda County, two in Marin County, two in San Mateo County, two in Santa Clara County and one case in Solano County.
Meanwhile, in Virginia, some legislators are talking about
holding anti-vaxxer parents accountable.
“We are paying the price for letting people opt-out,” Del. John O’Bannon (R – Richmond) said. O’Bannon, a physician, said some lawmakers would like to see legislation or legislative action that could hold parents accountable for refusing to vaccinate their children. O’Bannon said he would like the governor’s administration to also consider action.