# First Measles death in Texas - Feb, 2025, and now in other parts of the US **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 26, 2025, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834 "2025-02-26T16:56:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2025, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/221 "2025-03-29T03:41:46Z")
I dunno. I always “do my own research”. Then I ask my doctor about it. In my experience, better doctors will help the patient do that research, and suggest what better and worse sources to research are. When my sister had “maybe cancer”, the doctor told her what terms would be helpful to search, and gave advice on how to interpret what she would find. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2025, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/222 "2025-03-29T03:51:22Z")
I love docs like that. My biggest grief is nurses rolling their eyes if you say I’ve read on-line…yeah. I’m talking to you Ivy! ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2025, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/223 "2025-03-29T15:18:06Z")
[https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/03/28/nx-s1-5344010/fda-peter-marks-rfk-jr](https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/03/28/nx-s1-5344010/fda-peter-marks-rfk-jr) Resigning in protest before getting fired but leaving few to no sane voices, or at least any brave enough to speak. > Marks cited special worry about the ongoing measles outbreak in Texas, which has now grown to at least 400 cases. [Measles can cause a long list of potentially serious](https://www.npr.org/2025/03/18/1239156786/measles-is-spreading-are-you-safe)complications and the vaccines provide strong, safe protection, Marks said. Kennedy has promoted alternative treatments during the Texas outbreak “Undermining confidence in well-established vaccines that have met the high standards for quality, safety, and effectiveness that have been in place for decades at FDA is irresponsible, detrimental to public health, and a clear danger to our nation’s health, safety. and security,” Marks wrote in his resignation letter to Sara Brenner, acting commissioner of food and drugs. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2025, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/224 "2025-03-29T22:41:56Z")
The NYT article says he was given a choice of resigning or being fired. Top F.D.A. Vaccine Official Resigns, Citing Kennedy’s ‘Misinformation and Lies’ [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/health/fda-vaccines-rfk-jr-peter-marks.html?unlocked\_article\_code=1.7k4.TRZO.9ecEdoWXhaTm](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/health/fda-vaccines-rfk-jr-peter-marks.html?unlocked_article_code=1.7k4.TRZO.9ecEdoWXhaTm) > “It has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies,” [Dr. Marks wrote](https://static01.nyt.com/newsgraphics/documenttools/c946b864e1dc08f9/05e7e4f0-full.pdf) to Sara Brenner, the agency’s acting commissioner. He reiterated the sentiments in an interview, saying: “This man doesn’t care about the truth. He cares about what is making him followers.” > > Dr. Marks resigned after he was summoned to the Department of Health and Human Services Friday afternoon and told that he could either quit or be fired, according to a person familiar with the matter. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/225 "2025-03-31T17:48:14Z")
Right now I’m just keeping fingers crossed for no Spring Break DisneyWorld outbreaks. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/226 "2025-04-06T14:35:32Z")
At least no Disney Wirld outbreak yet but [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/06/health/measles-death-texas.html?unlocked\_article\_code=1.9k4.ejjw.NX\_3Lrxp4B\_C&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/06/health/measles-death-texas.html?unlocked_article_code=1.9k4.ejjw.NX_3Lrxp4B_C&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare) Gift link. Second kid death in Texas. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/227 "2025-04-06T14:59:10Z")
When I saw the topic pop up, I thought you would be posting this: [Measles exposure at Great Wolf Lodge and Grapevine Mills Mall in North Texas prompts health warning - CBS Texas](https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/measles-exposure-great-wolf-lodge-grapevine-mills-mall-north-texas-health-warning/) Shouldn’t be a problem, a combined water park and indoor entertainment area, as well as a food court, won’t have a lot of people. Only a couple of miles from where we’ll be next month! ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/228 "2025-04-06T15:03:13Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > When I saw the topic pop up, I thought you would be posting this: > > [Measles exposure at Great Wolf Lodge and Grapevine Mills Mall in North Texas prompts health warning - CBS Texas](https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/measles-exposure-great-wolf-lodge-grapevine-mills-mall-north-texas-health-warning/) 🎵 _I got it through the Grapevine_ _yes, I got it through the Grapevine_ 🎶 ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/229 "2025-04-06T15:10:57Z")
Right? Am I being paranoid? We go to Grapevine on every visit via shuttle and eat at Esparza’s, sometimes twice on a trip. It’s just easier to get the two shots and be 100% sure (I saw @puzzlegal suggested a titer, but getting into my doctor’s office is more work than getting into CVS by a long shot)(plus the internet seems pretty negative on the effectiveness of a titer, at least with respect to over-indicating no immunity). ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/230 "2025-04-06T16:21:01Z")
According to the NY Times article about the second death, the US may lose its elimination status for measles. Yay for right-wing and religious fucking idiots. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/231 "2025-04-06T17:30:08Z")
I only got a titer because i had a bad enough reaction to an earlier measles shot that my mom got me a medical exemption from the booster that my cohort was advised to get. So i didn’t want to get a new vaccine if i didn’t have to. Without that history, i probably just would have gotten another shot. Although, that’s because i knew i wasn’t “fully vaccinated”. Honestly, if you _were_ fully vaccinated, you are probably fine without doing anything. Measles immunity generally lasts for life. (Also, the odds are that my “bad reaction” was a mild case of measles, which was possible from one of the vaccines that was used in my childhood – a vaccine that was removed from the market because of the high risk of “fever and rash”, and the availability of safer vaccines. But… I had a lot of weird medical issues as a kid, some of which my mom associated with the measles vaccine. So i figured I’d be cautious. The only advantage of having some the tier is that since it was positive, I’m now very comfortable with my immune status.) ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/232 "2025-04-06T18:58:56Z")
I’m glad you omitted the following line. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/233 "2025-04-06T23:03:59Z")
Didn’t see this coming: > **['Most effective way' to prevent measles is vaccination, RFK Jr. says, in most...](https://www.statnews.com/2025/04/06/rfk-jr-measles-statement-west-texas-outbreak/)** > > Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Sunday that "the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine,” his most direct statement yet on the issue.  > WASHINGTON — Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Sunday that “the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine,” his most direct statement yet on the issue, following the death of a second child of the condition in the outbreak in West Texas. > > Kennedy, who has long described the vaccine as dangerous, has largely avoided endorsing its use since the start of the outbreak, and he stopped short of explicitly saying he “recommended” it in his latest remarks, as public health officials have called on him to do. But the statement, issued on the social media platform X, appeared to be well-received among observers hoping he would use more forceful language. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/234 "2025-04-06T23:13:49Z")
Junior issued a weaselly pro-MMR statement after the first measles death in Texas, so this isn’t terribly new. He also touted dubious measles remedies, [forced out a leading FDA vaccinologist](https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/28/health/fda-vaccine-peter-marks-resigns/index.html) and named an unqualified antivaccine hack to run a study intended to prove that vaccines cause autism. His latest announcement and trip to Texas are performative, undoubtedly under pressure from fellow Trumpers. He’ll make it up to his wailing antivax supporters with additional measures to cripple vaccination and public health. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/235 "2025-04-07T00:36:05Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > According to the NY Times article about the second death, the US may lose its elimination status for measles. But the second kid’s funeral will get a visit from RFK Jr. himself! > **[Anti-Vaxxer RFK Jr. to Attend Child Measles Victim’s Funeral](https://www.thedailybeast.com/robert-f-kennedy-jr-anti-vax-health-secretary-to-attend-child-measle-victims-funeral/)** > > The health and human services secretary has claimed vaccines cause autism in children. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/236 "2025-04-07T00:43:41Z")
They’re allowing RFK to be around a dead body? One can only hope that the presence of the SS will prevent hijinks from ensuing. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/237 "2025-04-07T00:48:00Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > One can only hope that the presence of the SS will prevent hijinks from ensuing. It is not clear to me if he would get a protective detail. If he did, it probably would not be the SS but, more likely, from Federal Marshals. Even that I am not sure about. Maybe the FBI? Cabinet members do not usually get a protective detail I do not think. But, the president could probably order one. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/238 "2025-04-07T00:51:55Z")
Exactly who would prevent the hijinks is in no way relevant to the reminder that RFK has a history of taking dead things home with him. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/239 "2025-04-07T00:52:31Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > One can only hope that the presence of the SS will prevent hijinks from ensuing. I’m pretty sure he’s mainly a bear-loving dude. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834/240 "2025-04-07T01:07:17Z")
RFK? “Would rather run into a bear with measles or…?” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834.md?page=13)