Louisiana: come for the gumbo, stay for the flu and Covid!

[thewayne]

*sigh*

In a verbal communication, the Louisiana Health Department has stopped promoting vaccines for flu, covid, and mpox. It is hosting no clinics. It is still supposedly promoting childhood vaccines.

Department spokesman "Emma Herrock did not deny the claim or dispute any of the outlets' [NPR] reporting. Instead, Herrock provided a statement confirming that the department's policy had shifted, specifically, it moved "away from one-size-fits-all paternalistic guidance" and to the stance that "immunization for any vaccine ... are an individual’s personal choice." Discussions and decisions about vaccines should be between an individual and their health provider, the statement read."

Even the Dept of Health clinics are not allowed to advertise the fact in their own clinics! that they offer vaccinations!

Many employees are questioning just what is the point of working there.

December 20 Ars Technica article:
https://arstechnica.com/health/2024/12/louisiana-bars-health-dept-from-promoting-flu-covid-mpox-vaccines-report/


On December 23, Ars reported that Louisiana is at the lowest of the three top stages for reported influenza-like illnesses. Oregon is the only other state at this level. The article also shows a map of the USA including territories and their reported levels as of the week ending December 14.

The scale has 13 stages, three levels (11-13) classed at Very High, which is where Louisiana and Oregon are at 11. From the article: "Louisiana is at the first of three "Very High" levels. Oregon is the only other state to have reached this level. The rest of the country spans the scale, with 13 jurisdictions at "High," including New York City and Washington, DC. There are 11 at "Moderate," 10 at "Low," and 19 at "Minimal."

A comment in this article said the following:
Tangentially, Louisiana #40 in K-12 and # 49 in higher education
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/education

https://arstechnica.com/health/2024/12/flu-surges-in-louisiana-as-health-department-barred-from-promoting-flu-shots/

Comments

[elayna]

The stupidity, it burns. I despair that people reject one of the greatest discoveries of medical science. "Why yes, we'd like people to die young or live in misery." So frustrating.

[richardf8]

You gotta love the Republican immigration strategy - how do you keep people from immigrating from shithole countries? By becoming a shithole country!

[warriorsavant]

Every time I start thinking the right has some valid points, the get even more psycho.

[disneydream06]

Dear States of America...

Welcome back to the Pandemic. :o

Hugs, Jon

[silveradept]

The cause and effect here is pretty clear, and yes, I'm sure that if you pointed that out to the relevant authorities, they would pretend not to see it nor hear you telling them that they're putting people in danger by saying their public health policy is "get infected and die, see if we care."

[bibliofile]

I saw an announcment that the New Orleans Health Department would absolutely continue promoting vaccines and vaccine clinics. Of course, I can't look at it on Txitter or even the Health Department's own site, but I found it on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/nolahealthdept/p/DD0KiQWJ6KA/

[pondhopper]

I hate what the US is becoming and that's all I can say. It's too much to contemplate.