'Brady Bunch' Episode Fuels Campaigns Against Vaccines -- And Marcia's Miffed

[Eugene]

Source: NPR

'Brady Bunch' Episode Fuels Campaigns Against Vaccines — And Marcia's Miffed

April 28, 20198:54 AM ET
Heard on Weekend Edition Sunday
GWYNNE HOGAN

As the number of measles cases nationwide rises to levels not seen since before the virus was declared eliminated in 2000, some people who oppose vaccines cite an odd cultural reference as evidence that the concern about measles is overblown: a 1969 episode of The Brady Bunch.

Some former Brady Bunch cast members aren't happy about it.

The episode "Is There a Doctor in the House?" features the whole family sick with measles. First, Peter gets sent home from school. Mother Carol Brady, played by Florence Henderson, describes his symptoms as "a slight temperature, a lot of dots and a great big smile," because he gets to stay home from school for a few days.

-snip-

People who are critical of vaccines bring the episode up often. It's used in videos and memes and is cited by activists like Dr. Toni Bark, who testifies against vaccines in courts and at public hearings across the United States. To them, it aptly illustrates what they consider to be the harmlessness of the illness.

-snip-

McCormick says that she got measles as a child and that it was nothing like the Brady Bunch episode; she got really sick.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/04/28/717595757/brady-bunch-episode-fuels-campaigns-against-vaccines-and-marcia-s-miffed

[lambchopp59]

1. Pbbbbbbbblt.

Heaven's sake, MAGA's willing to accept multi-layered conspiracy theory garbage, electing their teevee president who will save them from all us elitist medical practitioners, scientists, physicists and the melting pot getting a little too "melty".
I'm beginning to believe the notion of segregating MAGA's to their own territory may be a good safety measure for the sane.
Then they can share their airborne illnesses, fire their assault rifles at each other for minor disagreements, then after a proper period of natural cleansing the area would be habitable again.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. FFS, 1.) it was a made-up TV show and 2.) we haven't advanced our

knowledge sin e 1969?

[Midnight Writer]

3. In the 50's, my measles wasn't bad, but the kid across the street was brain damaged for life.

Last I knew, he was in a group home for mentally disabled folk.

[area51]

4. Using a comedy TV show as "evidence" that measles isn't bad?

[eppur_se_muova]

5. Should come with a warning: YOU. ARE. NOT. WATCHING. A. DOCUMENTARY. nt