MTA investigates an anti-Semitic bus incident caused by measles – The Forward

The Metropolitan Transit Authority in New York is investigating a complaint by a Jewish Orthodox man who claims to have been discriminated against by a bus driver due to the measles outbreak in New York City, which is largely confined to the ultra-Orthodox community.

The man said he was waiting at a bus stop in Brooklyn when the driver refused to stop the bus. He ran after the bus and the driver finally let him in so that he would cover his face and say "Come in, measles".

The incident was reported by the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg, who work with the city to stop the measles epidemic by educating the community and encouraging immunization.

Mayor Bill de Blasio gave an update on the incident. "Antisemitic discrimination has no place in our city," he said. tweeted. "We have contacted the MTA about this report and we will ensure that it is the subject of a thorough investigation."

The city has declared a public health emergency following the measles outbreak, which has recorded at least 285 cases reported since October, almost all among Jewish Haredi children.

Most rabbis and local newspapers urged their constituents to vaccinate.

But misinformation about the alleged dangers of vaccines, the tacit approval of anti-vaccination by some rabbis and the lack of knowledge about the proper vaccination schedule have all contributed to the growth of the epidemic , both in the city and in the very Jewish suburbs. of Rockland County.

Aiden Pink is the deputy editor of Forward. You can reach him at [email protected] or on Twitter, @aidenpink