Melissa's Miserable Measles
Last week, I wrote a blog about an antivaxxer book targeted at children and their parents, called “Melanie’s Marvelous Measles”, a book that has been widely condemned on many science blogs – see here, here and here, for example.
I would like to suggest the following story as an alternative description of measles which does not gloss over pain this disease causes, as well as the potential dangers it poses to vulnerable children.
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Melissa’s Miserable Measles
Melissa had an itchy red rash over most of her body and a terrible cough.
Melissa’s head hurt and felt hot all the time.
Melissa’s eyes hurt, so her room was dark and she couldn’t draw or look at pictures.
But this wasn’t why Melissa was miserable.
Melissa was miserable because her mummy was sad.
Her mummy kept crying, and didn’t visit her much.
Melissa wasn’t allowed to see her baby brother, Martin, either,
… even though all of her relatives were allowed to visit his room.
They were all very sad too.
Daddy came to visit Melissa. He was very sad.
Daddy explained that Martin had gone away, and wouldn’t be coming home.
Daddy started crying and hugged Melissa close.
He said he was sorry that they hadn’t been vaccinated.
And that he was lucky he still at least he had his daughter left.
Melissa wasn’t quite sure she understood daddy, but she hugged him back anyway.
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6 Responses to “Melissa's Miserable Measles”
a little treacle-y fore my liking, but none-the-less.
For an object lesson in hypocritical statements, check out the latest “news” from the IAS. I particularly like the line:
“No matter your point of view on vaccination, we can no doubt agree that ostracizing students will have a negative impact. The situation requires empathetic, logical management and a clear set of protocols not clouded by fear or hysteria.”
Oh yeah sister – you spat a bibful there…
Ashton,
In the same article they write “We wish to encourage an atmosphere of intelligent discussion, supportive questioning and […]†but have blocked discussion, so none can be had, ‘intelligent’ or otherwise.
I think I need a new irony meter!
This sort of hypocritical statement by the IAS is one of the reasons why several people have already laid complaints about the IAS to the charities commission. It only takes 5 to 10 minutes to make a complaint so I would recommend that anyone who feels strongly enough to make a complaint at: http://www.charities.govt.nz/compliance/complaints/make-a-complaint/
THe IAS’s CC number is 42358
Well, it need only take 5 mins.
Some of us foolishly spent considerably longer. 🙂
But hopefully that lays the foundation for quicker complaints…. so I tell myself.
Thanks Michael- very dramatic! But look, it’s Christmas and for those who didn’t make it to our Immunisation conference in Rotorua, I thought you’d like to see the lyrics for Easel the Weasel. This was a song performed by myself and Dave Graham as part of the dinner. Imagine a 12 bar rhythm and blues backing…
Easel the Weasel
My name is easel
I’m a weasel
I don’t eat kiwis
I eat cheezels
I used to be happy
Wi’ shiny little eyes
Scurryn’ around
Stealin’ apple pies
But let me tell you now
How it all went down
How this weasel got the pinkeye blues
I was in the playground
Looking for a feed
Sneakin thru the bushes
Hiding in the weeds
I hear a sniff
And a coughy little wheeze
A kid goes shufflin’ by
He’s lookin’ kind of sick
Something falls down
And I eat it real quick
Oh I’m Easel the Weasel
Now this weasel’s got the pinkeye blues
Soon I got the sneezels
My eyes get all red and evil
I need to see my folks
They live in Tweezel
It’s a long trip
full of upheaval
And when I arrive
I stagger in the door
The room starts spinning
I collapse onto the floor
Oh I’m Easel the Weasel
Now this weasel’s got the pinkeye blues
So let this be a lesson
to all you weasels
Stay away from cheezels
Don’t go to tweezel
cause it’s full of measles
And most importantly…
(spoken rapidly) Get your two shots of MMR at the ages of 15 months and 4 years or earlier upon advice from your local public health unit
Ohh I’m Easel…the weasel
Now this weasel’s got the pinkeye blues
(x3)
Happy holidays!
Theo Brandt
The Immunisation Advisory Centre
The University of Auckland