Collecting Facts - Tossing Out Opinions

I’m not much of a collector.

For a while I was collecting 1:18 scale die-cast cars – but that kind of petered out.

I also like collecting t-shirts – usually a logo from a TV show or movie, or maybe something based on my musical tastes – but after a while you run out of drawer space – and some of the old ratty t-shirts will – get tossed.

I got to thinking about t-shirts the other day when I came across one that gave me a bit of a pause and started me down a rabbit hole – specifically about the recent measles outbreak.

The T-shirt said:

SCIENCE >OPINION

It strikes me as sad that a disease that was essentially conquered is experiencing a resurgence. I think most of this is due to people believing opinion over science – and a newfound aversion to vaccines.

For a bit of background, the measles vaccine was first introduced in 1963 and in 1968 an improved version was developed and has become the only measles vaccine used in the US since then. Almost 60 years of science and experience.

Twenty-five years ago, measles was declared eliminated from the United States, meaning there was no continuous disease transmission for more than 12 months. This achievement was due to widespread vaccination and improved control measures.

Recent statistics of case counts for 2023-2025 show an increase in measles cases. Vaccination coverage among US kindergarteners has decreased from 95.2% during the 2019-2020 school year to 92.7% in the 2023-2024 school year. This decline in vaccination rates has led to pockets of unvaccinated people, even in states with high overall coverage, making people vulnerable to outbreaks. The World Health Organization has also reported a recent resurgence of measles cases in Europe, indicating a global trend.

So, what could be the cause of such an increase? Surely 60 years of science and fact can’t be disputed.

A quick Google search reveals these non-fact, opinion-based reasons:

1. Confirmation bias: Parents may seek out information that confirms their pre-existing beliefs or fears about vaccines.
2. Emotional appeal: Personal stories and anecdotes can be more compelling than statistical data and scientific studies.
3. Distrust in institutions: Some individuals may be skeptical of government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and the medical establishment.
4. The complexity of scientific information: Scientific studies can be difficult for laypeople to understand, leading them to rely on simplified explanations from non-expert sources.
5. Social media echo chambers: Online platforms can reinforce and amplify vaccine skepticism within like-minded communities.

In my opinion, healthcare should always be moving forward, you defeat a disease, and you move on to the next one. Having to fight a disease that was gone 25 years ago just takes away resources from another disease fight.

And, as far as the opinions as to why measles vaccines are bad – maybe it’s time to toss out those old, ratty ideas. A fresh, clean t-shirt with a fact-based statement on the front is always a good look.

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