The Rise of Measles in the Era of Trump

This letter to the editor, by Laurie Harmon, appeared in the Hudson Star Observer on April 10, 2025

As of March 27, 2025, the CDC reported 483 confirmed measles cases across 20 jurisdictions: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Washington.

So who should be concerned, and why?

First, Donald Trump and Elon Musk are cutting jobs at the CDC and NIH at alarming rates. Many of those affected have 20 years or more of critical knowledge about disease transmission, mutation and containment. This scientific work requires constant monitoring and testing.

Second, more measles cases in a population mean more chances for the disease to mutate, adapt and become deadlier. Measles can weaken the immune system, leaving people vulnerable to many other dangerous diseases and infections for years. Parents who skip the vaccine for their children are making potentially life-threatening choices.

Third, kids aren’t the only ones who need vaccinations. Based on when adults received their MMR shot, some may need a new measles vaccine — especially those vaccinated on or before 1968 or anyone traveling abroad. Talk to your doctor, especially if you live in one of the 20 jurisdictions listed above.

Diseases like measles, polio, smallpox and tuberculosis still exist. We need to vaccinate our children — and sometimes ourselves — to prevent deadly outbreaks. We also need experienced scientists monitoring, testing and tracking diseases. Scientists aren’t the enemy — stupidity and disease are.