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    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    How the measles outbreak is a quintessential political issue of our time

    In just three months this year, there have been more than 200 reported measles cases. Measles is extremely contagious. It’s also preventable. But some people are refusing to vaccinate, despite all credible science saying it’s safe.

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    By Madeleine Brand • Mar 6, 2019 • 1 min read

    In just three months this year, there have been more than 200 reported measles cases. Measles is extremely contagious. It’s also preventable. But some people are refusing to vaccinate, despite all credible science saying it’s safe. The questioning of science and medicine is all political, says New Yorker writer Masha Gessen. She likens doubts around vaccinations to believing in political conspiracy theories on Facebook.

    The full episode

    2 of 5
    Why parents won’t vaccinate their kids against measles
    1. 0:00Despite Trump’s zero tolerance policy, the number of migrants trying to cross the border has doubled
    2. 7:31How the measles outbreak is a quintessential political issue of our timeYou’re reading this
    3. 18:34Why are parents lying to investigators about their children's vaccinations?
    4. 26:50As Uber and Lyft go public, what’s their long term future?
    5. 35:57Tipping behavior and etiquette for the gig economy
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Madeleine Brand

      Host, 'Press Play'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Sarah Sweeney

      Vice President of Talk Programming, KCRW

    • KCRW placeholder

      Michell Eloy

      Former Producer/Line Editor, Press Play

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Amy Ta

      Digital News & Culture Editor

    • KCRW placeholder

      Masha Gessen

      staff writer at the New Yorker

      NewsHealth & WellnessNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 5
    Why parents won’t vaccinate their kids against measles
    1. 0:00Despite Trump’s zero tolerance policy, the number of migrants trying to cross the border has doubled
    2. 7:31How the measles outbreak is a quintessential political issue of our timeYou’re reading this
    3. 18:34Why are parents lying to investigators about their children's vaccinations?
    4. 26:50As Uber and Lyft go public, what’s their long term future?
    5. 35:57Tipping behavior and etiquette for the gig economy
    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand