President Joe Biden has faced criticism this week from supporters of former President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. The backlash came in response to a measles outbreak in Chicago, which has been largely spread by migrants. According to the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), there have been 57 confirmed cases of measles in the city since March, with the majority of cases linked to the city’s largest migrant shelter in the Pilsen neighborhood.
Measles is a highly contagious illness caused by a virus that spreads through an infected person’s breath, coughs, or sneezes. Symptoms typically include a cold-like illness and a rash of tiny red spots. While most cases can be mild, measles can lead to complications and even death in some instances.
To combat the spread of the disease, the CDPH announced plans to provide second doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to individuals at the affected shelter. Of the 57 confirmed cases, 33 are in children under the age of 5, emphasizing the importance of childhood vaccination in preventing the spread of measles.
The measles outbreak in Chicago has become a focal point for critics of the influx of migrants entering the United States, especially those crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Since October, there have been over 1.1 million encounters with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Trump, who is expected to be the GOP nominee in 2024, has built his political platform around the MAGA movement, which includes a strong stance against immigration.
Supporters of Trump took to Twitter to express their discontent with the situation at the southern border under the Biden administration. The Republican National Committee (RNC)-run account called RNC Research highlighted a report from a Chicago TV station, stating that “Chicago now has more cases of measles than the last 14 years COMBINED” due to the influx of undocumented immigrants.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican and vocal critic of Biden, shared the RNC Research post and criticized the administration for prioritizing COVID-19 vaccinations while allowing undocumented immigrants to enter the country and potentially spread diseases that were previously eradicated through vaccines.
Richard Grenell, who served as acting director of National Intelligence under the Trump administration, also pointed out the health crisis caused by the open borders policy, noting that diseases once under control are reemerging. He specifically mentioned tuberculosis (TB) cases breaking out at migrant shelters in Chicago alongside the measles cases.
It is important to note that cases of measles have been recorded in at least 17 states since the beginning of the year, indicating a broader issue beyond Chicago. Health officials across various states are working to prevent the spread of the disease, but it remains a concern.
Additionally, the CDPH confirmed a smaller number of TB infections detected in some migrant shelters in Chicago. However, these cases should not be considered an outbreak. The CDPH spokesperson clarified that most cases of active TB disease in Chicago and the U.S. occur in people who acquired the infection years ago in their home country and later experience reactivation. Public health TB programs perform contact tracing to prevent the further spread of the infection.
This situation raises concerns about public health and the need to address both the influx of migrants and the importance of vaccination. The ongoing measles outbreak emphasizes the necessity of childhood vaccination programs to protect vulnerable populations.
Looking ahead, the implications of this situation extend beyond the current measles outbreak. It highlights the need for comprehensive immigration policies that address public health concerns and ensure the safety of both migrants and the communities they enter. It also underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance and immunization efforts to prevent the resurgence of diseases such as measles and tuberculosis.
In conclusion, the measles outbreak in Chicago, largely spread by migrants, has garnered backlash from supporters of Trump’s MAGA movement. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of childhood vaccination and the need for comprehensive immigration policies that address public health concerns. It also highlights the ongoing challenges of disease surveillance and immunization in preventing the resurgence of preventable diseases.