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In the midst of the largest measles outbreak in decades, Tennessee is closing down one of its most useful tools. The measles helpline is offline – what everyone could use if he has questions about the virus.
Tonight, Lindsay Bramson of News4 is trying to explain to you why it should be done while the disease worsens.
In the last six weeks, anyone with a question about measles has been able to call a hotline with any questions. That was until today.
This week was a matter of great concern to us, we wanted to know what you can do to ensure the safety of your children.
"We wash our hands when we come home and wash our hands before eating," said Frank Santora, who has two young children.
His children attend dozens of other children each day. He felt that setting up a specially designed hotline to answer questions about measles was helpful.
"I think this kind of phone line is important, not only to inform you about the disease itself, but also about what the city and the state actually do for you, as a parent, to protect children, "said Santora.
But the Tennessee Department of Health has disconnected it … despite over 400 calls over the last 6 weeks.
When we asked why a spokesperson would only say that anyone with questions should call their doctor
"Stay up-to-date and just know what the policies are," said Lori Earhart, director of Green Hills Child.
Washing your hands, bleaching toys, and keeping babies separate from older children are just some of the things this day care director says they do to keep kids healthy.
And the law in force requires that children from crèches over one year be vaccinated. The only exemptions are for religious and health reasons.
"And these must be properly documented in a child's record," Earhart said.
"One in three people who contract measles will suffer from other health problems, such as ear infections and pneumonia," said Dr. Wendy Long of the Metropolitan Health Department.
That's why parents like Santora hope that people take this epidemic seriously and do not put others at risk.
"If you send your kids to kids who are not vaccinated or who are around the playground, you could have this exposure without knowing it and it's really scary," Santora said.
The health department of the metropolis says that it is important that everyone be vaccinated … especially right now.
Adults who are not sure they have been vaccinated when they were children can discover it with a simple blood test.
Copyright 2019 WSMV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
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