Amid ongoing measles outbreak, Rockland County has declared a state of emergency, with Executive Ed Day publicizing that unvaccinated children will be barred from public places.
Effective from midnight Wednesday, March 27, those who are under 18 years of age and are not immunized against measles will be barred from public places until they get the MMR vaccine or until the state emergency declaration expires in 30 days.
According to officials, if anyone is found in violation of the state emergency declaration, their case will be taken to the district attorney’s office. Also, parents will be held accountable for their kids if they are found guilty.
Officials say there have been no religious exemptions, and they are working with area spiritual leaders who have been reassuring their members to get the MMR shot.
According to the Rockland County emergency declaration, public places are places where more than 10 persons are intended to assemble for governmental, civic, social, or religious functions, or for shopping or recreation, for food or drink consumption, awaiting transportation, for daycare or educational purposes, and for medical treatment. They may also include public transportation vehicles, such as buses or trains.
Public health officials said there are currently 153 confirmed measles cases in the county.
Ed said, “As this outbreak has continued, our inspectors have begun to meet resistance from those they are trying to protect. They have been hung up on or told not to call again. They’ve been told, ‘We’re not discussing this, do not come back’ when visiting the homes of infected individuals as part of their investigations. This type of response is unacceptable and irresponsible. It endangers the health and well-being of others and displays a shocking lack of responsibility and concern for others in our community.”
He explained that the intention is not to arrest people, but to help them educate and gain compliance.
Day stated, “This is an opportunity for everyone in their community to do the right thing. We must do everything in our power to end this outbreak and protect the health of those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons and for the children too young to be vaccinated.”
He further explained that religious holidays will be coming up soon and if people start complying with the state emergency and get their kids vaccinated, they will be able to enjoy holidays with their family and friends.
Day said, “We want people to be able to celebrate. We don’t want to see a repeat of how this outbreak started when we saw people gathered together and then fall ill last fall. We want everyone to enjoy their friends and families, something quite difficult with the specter of measles hanging over their heads.”
Public health officials are urging immunization and are saying the resistance is not due to religion, but lack of education.
“We must not allow this outbreak to continue indefinitely,” Day added. “We will not sit idly by while children in our community are at risk. This is a public health crisis, and it is time to sound the alarm, to ensure that everyone takes proper action to protect themselves and their neighbors; for the health and safety of all of us in Rockland.”
Pregnant women, children under six months of age, the immunosuppressed or immunocompromised, people who have not been immunized against measles, and people who were born before 1957 and are immunosuppressed belong to the high-risk groups.
Public health officials say the best way to protect yourself as well as the community is to get vaccinated. Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert said, “We continue to encourage everyone to be up-to-date with the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine to help protect them in case of any future exposure to measles in Rockland. Measles is highly contagious, so anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of getting the disease, and they may spread measles to people who cannot get vaccinated because they are too young or have specific health conditions.”
