Dumb & Dumber

There are 102 confirmed cases of measles in 14 states across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday. In addition, there are also hundreds of other people being monitored for possible exposure.

The first four weeks of 2015 saw more confirmed cases of measles that in a typical year. And 2014's 644 cases are more cases than occurred in the previous five years combined. And then Chris Christie stirs up the hornet's nest, calling for “balance” and “choice.” Because apparently politicians know more about medicine than doctors and scientists do.

It’s more important what you think as a parent than what you think as a public official. I also understand that parents need to have some measure of choice in things as well. So that’s the balance that the government has to decide.”

-- Chris Christie, February 2, 2015

I have simply had it with this idea that public health concerns are somehow trumped by personal choice. This is beyond ridiculous; it has moved squarely into the crazy-makingly insane territory.

Dr. Tim Jacks wrote a blog post chastising parents for the continued circulation their measles-susceptible, exposed children "bone headed." The response? Arizona cardiologist, Dr. Jack Wolfson,went on the defensive, throwing in plenty of offense along the way, and channeled his inner Hitler, Himmler and Goering:

My child is pure,”

Wait. What?

Asked if he could live with the idea that his unvaccinated child could cause another child to become gravely ill, the cardiologist was dismissive.

“I could live with myself easily. It’s an unfortunate thing that people die, but people die. I’m not going to put my child at risk to save another child,” he said,before adding, “If a child is so vulnerable like that, they shouldn’t be going out into society.”

Perhaps it's not Dr. Jacks' children who should be removed from circulating in society, but Dr. Wolfson's. If he elects not to vaccinate, shouldn't we effectively quarantine his children?

But no, Rand Paul can't learn from the backlash that Christie encountered in the hours after making his gaff. Paul had to weigh in with equal idiocy, saying that when it comes to vaccinations, "for the most part it ought to be voluntary." Carly Fiorina also weighed in with anti-vaccination beliefs, saying that vaccinations are a parent's decision. "I do think parents have to make those choices."