By Ariel Fristoe

As inventive director of Out of Hand Theater, an artwork group that promotes anti-racism, social activism and well being achievements, I consider that the current appointment of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (RFK) as secretary of the Division of Well being and Human Providers. RFK is just not a health care provider, neither is he a scientist, however he’s very pronounced about his skepticism of vaccine and has promoted flawed details about the protection of vaccine. Now, along with the removing of scientific info and warnings from the web site of the Facilities for Illness Management (CDC), the appointment of RFK might result in an vital enhance in stopping and severe ailments, outbreaks and deaths.

COVID-19 and the varied mutations are nonetheless very a part of our each day panorama. In accordance with the World Well being Group (WHO), greater than 7 million COVID-related deaths have been reported worldwide since 2020, nearly 2 million deaths have been registered in 2020 alone. The primary vaccines have been developed and have become out there in November 2020 and reported the lifeless from the final 28 days is 3,872, which is a lower of 98.7% from the beginning of the pandemic. Vaccines work and save lives!

Ailments reminiscent of smallpox and the bubonic plague have been worn out as a result of scientists developed vaccines. At the moment, with the “anti-vax” rhetoric that was embraced and incorrect info was so commonplace, measles from 4 circumstances in 2023 to 285 in 2024. 9 of those circumstances required hospitalization required. The affected people are six kids youthful than 4 years outdated, 16 folks aged 5-17 and two adults older than 18 years the figures rise as the times move by 124 circumstances in Texas alone in 2025. We can’t and shouldn’t deteriorate when it issues medication.

Well being specialists are involved that growing non -medical vaccine exemptions from faculty kids can result in extra frequent outbreaks. Falling vaccination percentages are worrying as a result of measles may cause severe sickness, together with hospitalization and swelling of the mind. I’m not a health care provider nor a scientist, however I consider my confidence within the precise docs and scientists who’ve the higher good in thoughts when creating medicines to fight and forestall ailments. Why is that this vital to me? By means of our equitable vaccines program we use artwork, info and conversations to encourage the belief of vaccine and to tell the group about sources, in order that we will create a more healthy group, and we’re proud to ship 650 vaccines in Georgia. A wholesome group is a powerful group – and for me that’s the most beneficial uncooked materials about what’s imported and exported.

As a girl, as a mom, as an individual, I’m involved about our well being and the way forward for our kids with RFK JR who leads the Ministry of Well being and Human Providers. I encourage that all of us contact our native and nationwide representatives to specific our concern in regards to the appointment of RFK's Division of Well being and Human Providers. We can’t deteriorate if we have now the means for us to create a secure and wholesome place for each citizen to thrive. We should give precedence to the well being of our communities and permit confirmed information to information our most vital selections that affect those that are costliest to us.

Ariel Fristoe is the inventive director at Out Out of Hand Theater