Today’s heeadlines:

U.S. measles cases surpass 4,000, with over 25 percent coming from Pennsylvania

• On Monday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency as nearly 3,900 measles cases were reported nationwide this year, driven by outbreaks in neighboring states and under-immunized rural communities within New York.
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• Pennsylvania serves as the outbreak epicenter with 1,004 cases, as vaccination rates in Lancaster County fell to 88% last school year compared to 97% statewide. Dr. Richard Kang, a pediatrician with Dignity Health, noted that communities are vulnerable when coverage drops below 95%.
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As measles continues to spread, health officials are seeing vaccine interest rise 11 hours ago · Baltimore, United States Montrose Daily Press Montrose Daily Press +30 Reposted by 30 other sources Center Factuality Ownership Measles cases reach 4,080 for the year — the highest in decades 1 day ago Wapa Wapa Center Factuality Ownership Measles Is Triggered in the U.S.: Unvaccinated Minors Predominate Among Those Affected

• A dispute persists over death counts, as Pennsylvania reports five measles-related deaths since late August while the CDC has counted only two nationally. U.S. Health Secretary Robert Kennedy questioned the state’s classification, creating disagreement over how deaths are defined.

Robert Kennedy is worried about whether there are 2 or 5 deaths counted. Not worried about infants and other kids suffering enough to go to the hospital. Does anyone remember when measles was effectively gone in America. That was two years ago.

• Nearly 20% of measles patients require hospitalization, with infants and immunocompromised individuals facing the highest risks. Health officials are scrambling to contain the spread as people prepare to travel and gather for the holidays.
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• In November, the Pan American Health Organization will review whether the United States has lost the measles-free status it has held since 2000. Losing the designation would reflect the past year’s rising infections rather than determine future outcomes.

And still there are people in America who will vote Republican! What does it take? More wars, more inflation, more stealing, more lies + polio and smallpox? Are we, as a nation, really that stupid?

Rodger Malcolm Mitchell