Health & Fitness
Twitterstorm Over Rockland State of Emergency
The attempt to squelch the 6-month measles outbreak in the NYC suburb was rapidly the subject of international scrutiny.
Rockland County officials' decision Tuesday to add more restrictions in an attempt to squelch the six-month long measles outbreak in the New York City suburb was rapidly the subject of international scrutiny on Twitter.
As you're probably aware by now, this morning at midnight, in Rockland County, New York, a state of emergency was enacted that precludes unvaccinated children from participating in daily society for the next thirty days.... https://t.co/yzFaIFtG4n
— OAMF (@OhioAMF) March 27, 2019
BBC News - New York county declares measles outbreak emergency https://t.co/ejnfnXZLwH A county in New York state has declared a state of emergency following a severe outbreak of measles. Rockland County, on the Hudson River north of New York City, has barred unvaccinated...
— Jolly Mampilly (@jollymampilly) March 27, 2019
In its 26th week of a measles outbreak that had reached 153 cases as of March 26, Rockland County declared a State of Emergency banning all unvaccinated children from public places such as stores, restaurants, offices and recreational facilities. The county had previously banned unvaccinated children from attending schools where the vaccination rate was less than 95 percent.
Many people saw the declaration as the emergence of fascism.
Find out what's happening in Ossining-Croton-On-Hudsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Rockland County Declares Measles State of Emergency, Bans Unvaccinated Minors From Public Spaces | NBC New York https://t.co/KBoGuEutRw via @nbcnewyork The fascist state strikes again!
— June Cleaver (@JuneCleaver55) March 27, 2019
https://t.co/asQMv70KsR 'this is a frightening trend towards totalitarianism' Scary!
— susan elizabeth (@susan_welch7) March 26, 2019
Red Alert: Medical Martial Law Begins In New York: Officials in Rockland County, NY declared a countywide state of emergency as medical martial law has made its debut by banning unvaccinated children from public spaces. https://t.co/ollpv6taW6 pic.twitter.com/mvCO7X5G2o
— Chris From WI (@ChrisFromWI) March 27, 2019
Some thought the measles outbreak was of little importance compared to other issues.
What about martial law being declared in Rockland, New York? 18 and under are banned from public??? Over measles vaccinations, as aliens pour into our country.
— Trump Lady™️NO COLLUSION (@RealTrumpLady) March 27, 2019
Others focused on religious freedom.
Find out what's happening in Ossining-Croton-On-Hudsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
@realDonaldTrump are you going to sit back and let the lies continue about the safety of vaccines? Declaring a state of emergency in Rockland County, NY. is just a ploy to justify mandatory vaccines for all. Taking away people’s Religious Exemptions are unconstitutional!
— JaniceNap (@janni66) March 27, 2019
Pro-science tweeters chimed in as well.
Rockland county vaccination rates in religious communities 50-60%. Outbreak of measles follows. State of emergency declared. Waiting for the antivaxx lobby to declare this has nothing to do with the vaccines but Big Pharma chem trails or something https://t.co/HCDcRha787 pic.twitter.com/W4enLGUqaV
— Adam McAvoy (@AdamTheRockMcA) March 27, 2019
Efforts are starting to combat anti-vaccination sentiment in the Ultra-Orthodox community in Rockland and in New York City.
Uncooperative families of measles victims are contributing to the measles outbreak's continuation, Rockland officials said.
That has been true in New York City, where there have been 181 cases confirmed as of March 19. That's 60 more cases since February. City health officials learned that parents and school officials had ignored rules keeping unvaccinated children home from yeshivas with low vaccination rates.
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