Doctor caught on video treating measles-infected children; RFK Jr. commends him as an 'exceptional' healer
A downright uncensored take on the current measles outbreak in Texas:
In a jaw-dropping turn of events, a local doctor, Dr. Ben Edwards—who's been tending to the sick kids amidst the ongoing measles pandemic—was caught on camera displaying signs of measles on his face just a week before Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. singled him out as an "extraordinary" healer.
The now-viral video, posted by theificationist anti-vaccine group Children's Health Defense, featured Edwards in full clinic attire discussing measly matters with parents and little popped-rash-faced cherubs in Seminole, Texas, ground zero of the outbreak that's wreaked havoc on hundreds and claimed the lives of three, including two kids.
When inquired about his measly state, Edwards casually admitted that the rash first appeared the day before the footage was recorded. "Yesterday was pretty achy. Little mild fever. Spots came in the afternoon. Today, I woke up feeling good," he revealed, shrugging off the infectious potential like an old sweater.
Measles, a grievous global contagion, reigns supreme among the world's most transmissible diseases, readily spreading for about four days before and after the rash shows up. Given these facts, Edwards' decision to so flippantly ignore protocol and successfully infected his own practice put his patients, their families, and the entire community in staggering danger.
Catching wind of the video, Kennedy elected to meet with Edwards a week after the footage, basking in the controversial healer's unorthodox approach, even as the measles pandemic continued its lethal march across the nation. Kennedy's contempt for conventional wisdom is nothing new, maintaining that the vaccine is less than saintly and discouraging parents from inoculating their children.
According to Dr. Craig Spencer, a medical practitioner at Brown University, Kennedy's promotion of Edwards is yet another example of the Health Secretary's misguided views on medicine and runs counter to the urgent need for people to vaccinate their kids to stop the pandemic. Spencer expressed deep concern about Kennedy's priorities: "I think is unfortunately perfectly on-brand for how he thinks medicine should be practiced," he lamented.
The extent to which Kennedy was aware of Edwards' measly status before their meeting remains fuzzy. A spokesperson for the Secretary claimed that he's not anti-vaccine but is "committed to improving children's health in America" and re-allocated resources to combat the outbreak in Texas. When asked why Kennedy chose to elevate and endorse Edwards rather than colleagues embracing evidence-based treatments, the spokesperson remained tight-lipped.
When approached by the Associated Press, Edwards contested the concerns about his lack of protective gear and neglecting patients who showed no signs of measles: "I interacted with zero patients that were not already infected with measles" during the contagious period. "Therefore, obviously, there were no patients that were put in danger of acquiring measles since they already had measles."
Jessica Steier, a public health scientist, questioned Edwards' methodology and concerned discrepancies between his statement and the video's revelations. "While there may be some extraordinary emergencies where it would be appropriate for a sick doctor to work, this is not one of those situations because there is no shortage of providers who are not infected," she asserted. Furthermore, the video revealed that Edwards failed to comply with basic safety protocols by showing up to the clinic sans mask.
Steier, the co-author of a published article on Edwards' conduct, underscored the recklessness of Kennedy praising and legitimizing a doctor engaged in such dubious practices, especially during a public health crisis. "You have the HHS secretary lifting him up," she warned. "It's so, so dangerous. I really feel for the people who are on the ground."
Children's Health Defense, the very group Kennedy once led, has filed lawsuits against numerous media outlets, including the AP, accusing them of engaging in antitrust violations by attempting to combat misinformation, such as conspiracy theories about the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines.
Regardless of Kennedy's possible ignorance of Edwards' measly condition, Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatrician from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, argued that Kennedy's enthusiastic endorsement of unproven measles treatments showcases a deeply irresponsible attitude that runs contrary to expert guidance. Offit further expressed grave concern about Kennedy's lackadaisical approach to the crisis, stating, "He's not the director of Children's Health Defense anymore. He's responsible for the health and well-being of children in this country. It's an emergency, but Kennedy is not treating it that way."
- The ongoing measles outbreak in Texas has led to a significant number of medical-conditions, with three confirmed deaths, including two children.
- Dr. Ben Edwards, a local doctor treating patients during the outbreak, was found to have measles himself, as shown in a viral video.
- Edwards flippantly ignored protocol, potentially infecting his entire practice, putting patients, their families, and the community in danger.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Health Secretary, met with Edwards and praised his treatment approach despite the ongoing measles pandemic.
- Kennedy's promotion of Edwards contradicts the urgent need for people to vaccinate their children to stop the pandemic, according to Dr. Craig Spencer, a medical practitioner at Brown University.
- Edwards, when questioned about his lack of protective gear and neglecting patients, contested the concerns, claiming he worked only with patients who already had measles.
- Jessica Steier, a public health scientist, questioned Edwards' methodology and accused him of reckless practices, stating he failed to comply with basic safety protocols.
- Kennedy's praise for Edwards is concerning, according to Steier, and is especially dangerous during a public health crisis.
- Children's Health Defense, a group Kennedy once led, has filed lawsuits against media outlets, accusing them of attempting to combat misinformation.
- Paul Offit, a pediatrician from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, criticized Kennedy's enthusiastic endorsement of unproven measles treatments, describing it as deeply irresponsible.
- Offit expressed grave concern about Kennedy's lackadaisical approach to the crisis, stating that he should be treating it like an emergency.
- In addition to health-and-wellness, the controversy reveals issues in policy-and-legislation, politics, and the spread of misinformation on social-media, entertainment, and pop-culture platforms.
- The ongoing measles outbreak and the controversy surrounding Kennedy and Edwards highlight the importance of evidence-based treatments, scientific research, and public awareness in managing chronic-diseases like measles, as well as maintaining overall fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, and proper nutrition.
