As their measles outbreak enters its six month, Rockland County health officials are making a big move to prevent more cases – an emergency declaration banning unvaccinated kids from public places.
Not surprisingly, anti-vaccine folks are reacting as you would expect.
The Rockland County Emergency Declaration
So what’s in this emergency declaration?
Does it force parents to vaccinate their kids, as anti-vaccine folks have been warning us about? Does it quarantine unvaccinated kids in their homes?
It must be pretty outrageous if folks are willing to basically incite others to riot, right?
“Every action we have taken, since the beginning of this outbreak has been designed to by the department of health of Rockland County in conjunction with the state department of health to do two things, maximize vaccinations and minimize exposures. We are taking today the next step in that endeavor… In order to prevent any more children from falling ill from this deadly disease, I am today declaring a county wide state of emergency. Effective at the stroke of midnight tonight, March 27, anyone who is under 18 years of age and is unvaccinated against the measles will be barred from public places until the declaration expire in thirty days or until they receive at least their first shot of MMR.”
Ed Day, Rockland County Executive
The emergency declaration:
- exempts those with a medical contraindication to getting vaccinated
- does not mean that law enforcement will be asking for vaccine records
- does mean that your case will be referred to the District Attorney if you are in violation (class B misdemeanor) – your child is in a public place without at least one dose of MMR
- holds parents accountable if they are in violation
- exempts homes
- exempts many public places, like streets and parks
So basically, the emergency declaration supports what the health department is already doing to end the outbreak and will hopefully get the attention of those who are keeping the outbreak going.
Are they out to arrest people?
No.
“We owe this to the residents of this great county so that we never ever have to go through this again. This is an opportunity for everyone in their community to do the right thing for their neighbors and come together. That’s what this is about now. We must do everything in our power to end this outbreak and protect the health of those who can not be vaccinated for medical reasons and those children too young to be vaccinated and also those who are risk…”
Ed Day, Rockland County Executive
They are trying to get their attention and educate them.
“Get your children vaccinated.”
Ed Day, Rockland County Executive
Vaccines are safe, with few risks, and are necessary.
Let’s stop the outbreaks.
The Rockland County Emergency Declaration
- VAXOPEDIA – What Do We Know About the Rockland County Measles Outbreak
- VAXOPEDIA – News on the Latest Measles Outbreaks of 2019
- VAXOPEDIA – Why Are We Having Measles Outbreaks If MMR Vaccination Rates Are Not Declining?
- VAXOPEDIA – News on the Latest Measles Outbreaks of 2019
- Rockland County Measles Information
- Health Department Announces Increased School Exclusions Due to Measles Outbreak
- How Orthodox Jewish Nurses Are Fighting ‘Anti-Vaccination Propaganda’ Targeting Their Community
- Parents Wanted Their Unvaccinated Children in Waldorf School, but a Judge Said No.
What next?
…Antivaxers like Kate Tietje insisting that if someone’s child has measles they should take them to the hospital’s leukaemia unit and make sure all the patients get exposed?
It wouldn’t surprise me in the least.