New York bans religious exemptions for vaccines amid measles outbreak

[zebo-the-fat]

New York bans religious exemptions for vaccines amid measles outbreak

Lawmakers in New York have voted to eliminate religious exemptions for school vaccines for children, as the state grapples with a measles outbreak.
The law passed on Thursday night, and led to chaotic scenes in the statehouse as anti-vaccination supporters clashed with lawmakers.
Much of New York's outbreak has centred around orthodox Jewish communities.
More than 1,000 Americans have been diagnosed with measles in 2019. Health officials say the disease is resurging.
Last month, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that the US, which effectively eliminated measles in 2000, may lose its "measles elimination status" as infections climb to a 27-year high.

"I'm not aware of anything in the Torah, the Bible, the Koran or anything else that suggests you should not get vaccinated," said Bronx Democrat Jeffrey Dinowitz, who sponsored the bill.
State Senator Brad Hoylman added: "We're putting science ahead of misinformation about vaccines and standing up for the rights of immuno-compromised children and adults, pregnant women and infants who can't be vaccinated through no fault of their own."
Governor Andrew Cuomo, who signed the bill into law only hours after it was passed by lawmakers, said in a statement: "The science is crystal clear: Vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to keep our children safe."


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48625990

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Good-o.  Religious freedom (like all other freedoms) is necessarily limited at the point where it endangers other people.

Boru

[Aegon]

Good-o.  Religious freedom (like all other freedoms) is necessarily limited at the point where it endangers other people.

Boru

It's Locke 101. Even as a classical liberal or libertarian, it must be admitted that exercise of personal liberty ends when it encroaches on another's. This is a textbook example.

[arewethereyet]

I think this is a step in the right direction. The problem is that the vaccinations are required for a child to attend school. This doesn't do much for those who are too young for school though old enough to have started the standard shot schedule. I have to wonder if it has any teeth where church based private schools are concerned and I assume it doesn't apply to homeschooled kids.

But, it's a start.

[Aegon]

My friend works at the NY state capitol in Albany, and he said that anti-vaxxers practically broke into the Assembly room in protest. They make me so angry.

[brewer]

I know this is a pie in the sky thought but I'd like to see more physicians refuse to see/treat the antivax crowd.

[The Valkyrie]

Anti-vaxxers, the more I read about or from them, are selfish, ignorant vermin.

[zebo-the-fat]

Anti-vaxxers, the more I read about or from them, are selfish, ignorant vermin.

True, but it's the kids who suffer

[LadyForCamus]

Finally, my home state did something worth doing.

[Aegon]

Finally, my home state did something worth doing.

Now that New York is entirely Dem controlled, I think we'll see some interesting stuff come out of there, a lot of good, but probably some for the worst if I'm being honest. Where are you from originally?