Texas Measles Outbreak in a Broadened Context

[nanana]

Here is the WHO advisory, for the current Texas outbreak of 378 cases: [think before following links] https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON561

Here is coverage of the current Ontario outbreak of 572 cases: [think before following links] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontario-chief-medical-officer-stands-by-vaccine-exemption-law-despite/

Furthermore, the WHO reported on March 13 that the European region reported 127,350 measles cases in 2024, double the number in 2023, and 300 times more than in the USA. [think before following links] https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/13-03-2025-european-region-reports-highest-number-of-measles-cases-in-more-than-25-years---unicef--who-europe

What is the interplay of "fact" and perception here?  Any explanation for why one fact-base might get attention, but another fact-base does not?  How do the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion play out in this juxtaposition?  How do the principles of partisanship play out when over-relying on a specialized fact base and not seeking out a broader fact base?  What is the connection between the WHO's focus on the US outbreak in its "Disease Outbreak News" and the US withdrawal from the WHO?  

 

[viking8x6]

You seem to be questioning whether someone is being partisan, and suggesting that DEI may be part of the driving force for that, but without a clearer exposition of your hypotheses I have no way to assess, consider, nor respond sensibly to this post.

 

[nanana]

I    fear I    will get suspended for "fact-checking" (or, victor-writes-the-history "opinion-checking" which may be closer to what's happening during a "fact-check"), so I am leaving it to others to draw inferences.  (fear is a strong word, maybe it is more like a highly erotic suspension, much like breath control in a dangerously close rough trade hookup, or sensory deprivation)

Edited April 4 by nanana
qualifying my "fears", introducing the concept of "opinion-check" next to its more popular sister "fact-check"

[Erik62]

The anomaly of Measles outbreaks in the US & those in the EU could well be FREEDOM OF CHOICE.

  Residents of the EU are not experiencing vaccines being withdrawn, information removed from media sources, research halted or straight-out denial of vaccine efficacy. The EU population could simply be "listening" to vaccine deniers & right-wing Idiocy. 

  The US, however, is currently being "DENIED" access to valid information & government/health Dept encouragement to access & increase vaccination rates within those populations most in need of access. 

  The EU has FREEDOM OF CHOICE, the US DOES NOT. 

[fuckholedc]

10 hours ago, nanana said:

Here is the WHO advisory, for the current Texas outbreak of 378 cases: [think before following links] [think before following links] https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON561

Here is coverage of the current Ontario outbreak of 572 cases: [think before following links] [think before following links] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontario-chief-medical-officer-stands-by-vaccine-exemption-law-despite/

Furthermore, the WHO reported on March 13 that the European region reported 127,350 measles cases in 2024, double the number in 2023, and 300 times more than in the USA. [think before following links] [think before following links] https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/13-03-2025-european-region-reports-highest-number-of-measles-cases-in-more-than-25-years---unicef--who-europe

What is the interplay of "fact" and perception here?  Any explanation for why one fact-base might get attention, but another fact-base does not?  

 

The reason one fact base gets attention while another doesn't is simply because in the media one is consuming one is current and the others aren't (for example, I had no idea that in Europe there was a massive measles outbreak, at least on paper.  In fact the outbreak is largely confined to Romania although it is true that across western, southern and northern Europe there have been a small number of measles reported in each country).  

 

As for diversity, without looking at the statistics I can guarantee that the various people associated with the Roma/Sinti are being disproportionately affected because throughout Europe the Roma/Sinti groups are still actively discriminated against (as are the poor but secondarily).

[SomewhereonNeptune]

On 4/4/2025 at 11:25 AM, nanana said:

Furthermore, the WHO reported on March 13 that the European region reported 127,350 measles cases in 2024, double the number in 2023, and 300 times more than in the USA. [think before following links] [think before following links] https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/13-03-2025-european-region-reports-highest-number-of-measles-cases-in-more-than-25-years---unicef--who-europe

What is the interplay of "fact" and perception here?  Any explanation for why one fact-base might get attention, but another fact-base does not?  How do the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion play out in this juxtaposition?  How do the principles of partisanship play out when over-relying on a specialized fact base and not seeking out a broader fact base?  What is the connection between the WHO's focus on the US outbreak in its "Disease Outbreak News" and the US withdrawal from the WHO?  

"There are lies, damn lies, and statistics." - Benjamin Disraeli

What would be more interesting to understand is the demographic detail behind the numbers from each context. For instance:

1. The Texas cases: Are they the result of transitory-migration from other countries across the international border? Is it direct cases, or cases from contact with others who are not immunized? Or is it due to people making the choice to not Vax? What ethnicities are most impacted? 
2. Same questions apply to 'Europe', but Europe itself isn't homogenous as there, too, are countries that have experienced transitory-migration (refugees), or perhaps countries that do not have comprehensive and universal vaccination programs (former Eastern Bloc, for instance).

On 4/4/2025 at 10:19 PM, fuckholedc said:

The reason one fact base gets attention while another doesn't is simply because in the media one is consuming one is current and the others aren't (for example, I had no idea that in Europe there was a massive measles outbreak, at least on paper.  In fact the outbreak is largely confined to Romania although it is true that across western, southern and northern Europe there have been a small number of measles reported in each country).  

As for diversity, without looking at the statistics I can guarantee that the various people associated with the Roma/Sinti are being disproportionately affected because throughout Europe the Roma/Sinti groups are still actively discriminated against (as are the poor but secondarily).

Exactly this. The more easily-consumed media will only give coverage to the whims of its masters.  96% of journalists also happen to "identify as" Democrat, Independent or Other; only 3.4% identify as Republican (source: 2022 American Journalist Study). At NPR, there are 87 journalists, all of whom are registered Democrats (Source: Recent Senate hearings). Can we infer that they'll give short shrift to the much more alarming Measles problem in Europe to instead focus on an angle of "Budget Cuts at HHS while Measles Cases Reach New Highs"?  Or will the data bear out that the bulk of cases are in Romania as @fuckholedc has cited? I don't know that you'll see that distillation from the media in the form of a two minute news story because it's not titillating.