PUBLIC HEALTH: Medical Freedom Act irresponsible

Ever wonder why there are signs reminding to wash hands after using the bathroom, or why people must be reminded to stay home when sick? There are people who do not wash after toileting, or do not consider how their illness exposes others to sickness, whether due to ignorance or just not really caring about others.

Knowing this gives me grave concerns about a law signed by Gov. Little and supported by Panhandle Health. The Medical Freedom Act makes it illegal to require vaccination or “medical intervention” (like requiring masks). Vaccines protected individuals from diseases like measles, mumps and rubella, and we eradicated polio through vigilant vaccine mandates. Protecting the individual also protects others they interact with. Conversely, we see pockets of outbreaks like measles in communities with low vaccination. It takes 7-14 days after exposure for someone to manifest measles symptoms, meanwhile the illness spreads to unvaccinated individuals. 

Although flu vaccines are rarely required (outside of certain environments like hospitals) they are recommended for slowing flu outbreaks. Idaho has one of the country’s highest percentages of people with the flu because an individual can refuse flu vaccines and further spread the disease.

This Medical Freedom Act infringes on our right to a healthy environment, allowing vaccine opponents to expose us to illnesses formerly contained for decades — such as letting someone with whooping cough (Pertussis) infect others with this awful disease, now resurging in recent years.

If signs must be posted reminding people to wash hands and stay home when sick, I doubt they will consider others when electing not to vaccinate.

If you have similar concerns, please contact Panhandle Health and Governor Little.

MARSHA BECKER
Dalton Gardens