I will be the first to say it: I am not a scientist, and immunology talk mostly goes way over my head. However, there are a few things I do know. Follow me over the orange antibody to read them.
First, you guessed correctly, this is a diary about the measles outbreak and the human stain known as anti-vaxxers. (Yes, I am well aware that my prejudice is showing).
Second, I know from personal experience as someone with an autism spectrum disorder that I have had my own questions about where it might have come from. I couldn't help wondering when I saw the anti-vaxxer movement come up: was this the explanation? Was there a link between my childhood shots and my childhood/adulthood suffering?
But when I started reading the science, I realized that this "link" was probably little more than wishful thinking disguised in scientific garb. It didn't really explain anything. It didn't explain how so many kids over so many years took the MMR vaccine and yet did not place anywhere on the autism spectrum. So that made the thinking not make sense.
The third thing I know, the thing that does make sense, is that we are supposed to look out for each other. We are, to borrow Scriptural language, our brother's keeper. I know for sure, from that, that making sure our immunizations are up to date, washing our hands as necessary, and staying home when we're sick (as we can) are easy ways we can do that. That's what I know for sure.
