Letters from an American February 27, 2025
23 snips
Feb 28, 2025 The podcast dives into the unsettling resurgence of measles in the U.S., highlighted by a tragic death, and discusses canceled health meetings impacting flu vaccinations. It uncovers the challenges public health faces due to budget cuts and political pushback, especially regarding the EPA's role amidst environmental crises. The looming departures at the Social Security agency spark concerns over economic stability, while judicial reactions to executive actions raise questions about governance and accountability in a politically charged atmosphere.
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Measles Death in Texas
- An unvaccinated child in Texas died from measles, marking the first such death since 2015.
- This comes amidst a severe flu season and concerns about the Trump administration's response to public health crises.
Flu Vaccine Meeting Cancelled
- The FDA canceled a meeting to select flu strains for next season's vaccines amidst a severe flu season with many deaths.
- Senator Cassidy expressed concerns about confirming anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Bird Flu and Mishandling of Ebola
- The Trump administration is trying to rehire government employees to combat bird flu after previous cuts.
- Health doesn't seem to be a priority, as exemplified by the mishandling of the Ebola outbreak response.