Mennonite Measles in Texas

[Pelerin]

It probably past time to split this into another thread but…

When talking with people who’ve only gone to 8th grade it’s hard not to notice knowledge gaps from time to time. But one good effect is that in Homes County anyone with an eighth grade education can do pretty well for themselves. Honestly a lot of higher education credentials don’t amount to much more than class signifiers.

[JohnH]

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go pick up my preschooler from the non-Anabaptist Christian school he goes to on Mondays.

Is he in Texas? Does he have measles?

No, but I’ve heard rumors of “measles parties”.

[Judas Maccabeus]

It probably past time to split this into another thread but…

When talking with people who’ve only gone to 8th grade it’s hard not to notice knowledge gaps from time to time. But one good effect is that in Homes County anyone with an eighth grade education can do pretty well for themselves. Honestly a lot of higher education credentials don’t amount to much more than class signifiers.

Depends on what kind of higher education. A nursing/engineering/agriculture degree is quite different than an arts and science degree. If you do it as a commuter student, with attachment to one’s home Church, they have value. About half of my KMF congregation have a BS or higher. As far as I know, all but one are actually using their degree discipline in their work. If anything, I would say we are not changing over tha past decade.

[Judas Maccabeus]

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go pick up my preschooler from the non-Anabaptist Christian school he goes to on Mondays.

Is he in Texas? Does he have measles?

No, but I’ve heard rumors of “measles parties”.

Child abuse.

[Ken]

Is he in Texas? Does he have measles?

No, but I’ve heard rumors of “measles parties”.

Child abuse.

Or a sign someone's education didn't take.

[JohnH]

Is he in Texas? Does he have measles?

No, but I’ve heard rumors of “measles parties”.

Child abuse.

So, you’d support the state forcibly taking the children away from such families and dumping them in foster care?

[Judas Maccabeus]

No, but I’ve heard rumors of “measles parties”.

Child abuse.

So, you’d support the state forcibly taking the children away from such families and dumping them in foster care?

No. But I would suggest that the individuals doing this need some serious counseling. Measles can kill, or do you deny that?

[Soloist]

No. But I would suggest that the individuals doing this need some serious counseling. Measles can kill, or do you deny that?

Some people are opposed to having anyone tell them the risks of their decisions. I think it’s very reasonable for the state to require education on the risks.

I think the rebuttal to measles can kill, would be that the common cold can kill too.
There is a stark difference, though, between a pox party for chickenpox and one for measles.

[JohnH]

Child abuse.

So, you’d support the state forcibly taking the children away from such families and dumping them in foster care?

No. But I would suggest that the individuals doing this need some serious counseling. Measles can kill, or do you deny that?

By that standard, anyone who chooses to drive with kids in the car needs some “serious counseling”.

It is entirely a personal decision whether to vaccinate against measles or not. Measles mortality is as low as 1/10,000 cases (UK) and deaths were usually associated with comorbidities.

[Ken]

So, you’d support the state forcibly taking the children away from such families and dumping them in foster care?

No. But I would suggest that the individuals doing this need some serious counseling. Measles can kill, or do you deny that?

By that standard, anyone who chooses to drive with kids in the car needs some “serious counseling”.

It is entirely a personal decision whether to vaccinate against measles or not. Measles mortality is as low as 1/10,000 cases (UK) and deaths were usually associated with comorbidities.

Yes, measles mortality goes WAY WAY down if you are vaccinated. We know that. And even if you are one of the rare 1% or so who still gets measles despite being vaccinated, the severity, side effects, and mortality of the disease is much lower. So the vaccine still protects you even if it isn't 100% effective in preventing disease.

And it is not entirely a personal decision because the consequences go beyond the individual or family. Communities with low vaccination rates invite outbreaks. So your choice not to vaccinate affects your entire community and the likelihood that it will see an outbreak. Most people care about more than just themselves and seek not to harm others or put others at risk from their decisions. Only sociopaths care nothing about others.