I keep receiving emails from public health officials about the threat of measles. Just like a week ago, I read a release that announced two cases of measles had been diagnosed in Michigan. I had thought measles were a thing of the past and was surprised to hear that they had made a return.
I know measles are highly contagious and can turn into pneumonia for children under five. Two children under 5 died supposedly of measles a week ago in Texas. I also understand that to enroll in most pre-school or any public school you must be vaccinated against measles and chicken pox. I think these vaccines for young children are a good thing.
Back in the day that wasn’t the case. When I was growing up, parents for the most part weren’t upset if you contracted measles or chicken pox. In fact, many wanted their children to contract the disease so that once you had it, you were immune from it for the rest of your life. Another thought at that time was the older you contracted the virus, the more it would affect you.
The thought was the same with tonsilitis. You were encouraged to have your tonsils pulled early in life, because later it could be quite painful and bothersome. That’s what happened to me. My tonsils had to be pulled when I was sixteen, and I’m telling you I didn’t recover for several weeks. In fact, I lost 20 pounds in the process.
Myself and my brother and sisters all had measles and chicken pox, and even mumps. Our parents did the responsible thing by keeping us out of school for a week or so. I remember being very bored. I wasn’t necessarily sick or in pain, but I had been diagnosed, so school was not an option.
I don’t know anyone who encountered complications, despite all my friends and family contracting the virus. But I guess back then was different. We weren’t as cautious or afraid of viruses like today’s parents and children.
And of course, we didn’t have the vaccine which is now required so it is now virtually impossible to get measles, or so I thought. If you listen to public health gurus it is making a comeback- a whole two cases have been diagnosed in Michigan and we must all take preventative steps.
Sorry I’m not buying it, and I know I will catch hell from the medical community for saying it. But as COVID proved, and now Bird Flu, we don’t need public hysteria over the latest and greatest virus. They will always come along, and may be a problem for unhealthy individuals, but for most of us, we needn’t be concerned.
I would much prefer we concentrate as a people to become healthier. Eating right and partaking in some form of exercise will go a long way in combatting viruses. We subject our children to a wide array of pills to combat this or that. Those medications can help in moderation, but Pfizer and other big Pharma companies, have made them a part of our daily routine. We must become healthier and viruses like measles will not be a concern.
Eat healthy, exercise, and stop taking pills. That’s the recipe for a winning health portfolio.
I had everything when I was young – chickenpox, measles (both Rubella measles and red measles) and mumps as vaccines weren’t yet available. I got through it okay, but not everyone does. When I was a teenager, I babysat for a young family. The mother was pregnant and, unfortunately, was exposed to rubella. The baby had developmental problems as a result. I’ve never forgotten that. Personally, I’m so grateful for the vaccines.