The latter descendant of JFK, Jack Schlossberg, recently confronted his cousin’s wife, Cheryl Hines, regarding the repercussions of anti-vaccine beliefs, notably leading to a child’s fatality due to measles. This tragic incident involves a child in Texas who was not vaccinated, hence vulnerable to infections, and got caught in a recent surge of measles hit in the state. Schlossberg expressed that nearly every incident of this highly infectious disease involves an unvaccinated individual, thereby hinting at the dire need for vaccination and suggesting that an apology would be an appropriate starting point.
Schlossberg, the younger face of the prestigious Kennedy clan, is prominently recognised for his liberal views and active advocacy for the Democratic party. He has been critically outspoken about his counterpart, Kennedy Jr’s skeptical stance on the utility of vaccines. Kennedy Jr., who recently took up the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services under former President Trump’s administration, was often vocal about his doubts regarding the effectiveness of vaccinations.
In the last week, the ripple effects of the ongoing measles outbreak in Texas turned fatal with the confirmation of the first mortality from this disease since 2015. State officials reported the tragic death of a child, who was not inoculated, as a result of this viral respiratory illness. This death made it abundantly clear how crucial vaccines are in the fight against such highly contagious, though preventable, diseases.
News also surfaced that another fatality resulting from the measles infection occurred in New Mexico. An adult who had not been vaccinated against the measles virus succumbed to the illness. This further underscored how escalating measles cases could have been arrested with adequate immunisation.
Originally, Kennedy Jr. expressed a lack of concern regarding the escalating measles outbreak, terming it as nothing ‘unusual’. Nonetheless, he showed substantial conscientiousness by changing his stance in a subsequent editorial. He recognised the importance of the combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, crediting it for the capability to ward off potentially life-threatening diseases.
Cheryl Hines, a famed actress and wife of Kennedy Jr., seemed to steer clear of public discourse on the vaccine controversy. However, she continued to lend her unwavering support to her spouse, particularly when he withdrew his candidacy for the 2024 presidential run. Her stand on vaccines remained implicit, yet it became known that she opted to get immunised against COVID-19 unlike her husband.
Justifying her decision to take the COVID-19 vaccine, Hines highlighted her occupation’s demands. The ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ actress defended her choice, pointing to work requirements which obliged her to stay healthy and immune. She, however, left the audience wondering if her approach could have taken a different turn if she was not engaged in acting.
Reflecting on her personal health habits, Hines suggested that her immunity decisions could have been different if she was not tied down by professional commitments. She revealed that she is not typically one to participate in routine inoculations, such as annual flu shots. Though her actions hint at a neutral stance on vaccines, the actress refrained from expressing clear anti-vaccine sentiments like her spouse.