In today's anti-science news, our conspiracy-addled, extremely dangerous and clueless Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is once again making the Texas and New Mexico measles outbreaks worse by spouting false claims about the cause of measles, and supporting lunatic "cures" that are, in fact, not cures.
One child and an adult have already died from this outbreak and another 29 children in Texas have been hospitalized. There had not been a pediatric measles death in the U.S. since 2003 prior to these outbreaks, which are now spreading rapidly.
And what did our national health leader say about this outbreak and the measles vaccine that is 97% effective at preventing measles, and all but eliminated measles from the United States prior to folks like Kennedy and his anti-vax cohorts spreading lies about vaccinations? In an interview on Fox News, Kennedy once again proved that he doesn't know the first thing about science and medicine:
- He falsely claimed (again) that measles vaccine injuries, which are extremely rare, are common.
- He touted debunked "cures" such as cod liver oil, and said that measles could be treated effectively with antibiotics and steroids which is also false.
- He once again repeated his lie that being infected with measles provided natural immunity to cancer and heart disease, a claim that has been scientifically debunked and is insanely ludicrous. In fact, research says the OPPOSITE is true. Being infected with measles can make one MORE susceptible to future illnesses.
- He falsely claimed that malnutrition contributed to the child's measles death in Texas, a claim denied by the doctors who treated the child.
- He, once again, falsely linked vaccines to autism, a claim that has been debunked REPEATEDLY by numerous studies
- He said HHS would conduct clinical trials of the debunked "cures," wasting taxpayer money on lies and fueling false hopes that his lunatic lies have merit.
Kennedy's idiocy would be laughable if it wasn't so damn dangerous. He is putting children -- and all of us -- at risk with his ignorance. To think that this person is in charge of our nation's health should be terrifying to all Americans. Spread the word.
