RFK, Jr.: Anti-vax HHS Secretary

[Its On A Slab]

Here is some info from a column written last year by an epidemiologist I follow:

Where is measles coming from?

Data shows that it’s not illegal immigration

open.substack.com

Argentina's vax rate surprises me. They have a very good healthcare system, really good Drs.

 

[Bamaro]

Deaths in America from 1999 to 2025
Suicide: 1,100,000
Overdose: 1,500,000
Heart attack: 17,800,000
Measles: 4

I can't speak for RFK but it seems he's more focused on the general public's overall health (obesity, chemicals/poisons in the food supply etc), which is - by far - the greater killer.

Again, I'm pro-MMR, etc. but in the decade before the measles vaccine was introduced the US averaged 400-500 deaths per year per the CDC. I expect focusing on the bigger issues facing our health is where the bigger payoff will be. I'd love it if he were pro-vaccines (specifically the long-proven vaxs) but the reality is you can save a LOT more lives by cleaning up the food supply.

Do both and it's a homerun.

Let him focus on other more pressing health concerns and leave MMR alone.
If it ain't broke, dont fix it.

 

[lowend]

School lunches could be another thread entirely, but as a teacher who has been in schools more years of my life than not, the Michelle Obama regulations did more to make food worse than make it better. The portions are not enough, there is no seasoning, and having everything baked makes it disgusting. The processed meat patties — that meet regulations — barely resemble meat. Vegetables straight out of the can don’t get chosen and the fresh fruit goes straight in the garbage. We need to go back to the school lunches of the 90s and earlier so that the kids that are really hungry will actually get the food and eat it.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

School lunches could be another thread entirely, but as a teacher who has been in schools more years of my life than not, the Michelle Obama regulations did more to make food worse than make it better. The portions are not enough, there is no seasoning, and having everything baked makes it disgusting. The processed meat patties — that meet regulations — barely resemble meat. Vegetables straight out of the can don’t get chosen and the fresh fruit goes straight in the garbage. We need to go back to the school lunches of the 90s and earlier so that the kids that are really hungry will actually get the food and eat it.

I work in the accounting/finance division of federal and state education, and it costs districts MILLIONS on top of MILLIONS of dollars in waste. The lunches sucked so bad the cafeterias were literally filling dumpsters full of untouched food.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Let him focus on other more pressing health concerns and leave MMR alone.
If it ain't broke, dont fix it.

Literally could not agree more.

 

[Huckleberry]

I work in the accounting/finance division of federal and state education, and it costs districts MILLIONS on top of MILLIONS of dollars in waste. The lunches sucked so bad the cafeterias were literally filling dumpsters full of untouched food.

I agree, but that wasn’t why conservatives hated the program. They didn’t like the idea that Michelle Obama was telling kids what to eat.

Back in the 90s and before, food was actually prepared on site. I remember working at a school where the hot dog and hamburger buns were freshly baked. Now, most meals are simply reheated (or cans are opened). There is very little in the way of fresh fruits and vegetables (other than the occasional apple), meat is processed, and everything is pretty bland. Kids still eat pizza and will visit the salad bar if there is one.

We need to serve a balanced diet of nutritious food that actually tastes good to students. And it should be at a price that all students can afford.

 

[Crimson1967]

I thought school food was bad long before Michelle Obama came along.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I agree, but that wasn’t why conservatives hated the program. They didn’t like the idea that Michelle Obama was telling kids what to eat.

Back in the 90s and before, food was actually prepared on site. I remember working at a school where the hot dog and hamburger buns were freshly baked. Now, most meals are simply reheated (or cans are opened). There is very little in the way of fresh fruits and vegetables (other than the occasional apple), meat is processed, and everything is pretty bland. Kids still eat pizza and will visit the salad bar if there is one.

We need to serve a balanced diet of nutritious food that actually tastes good to students. And it should be at a price that all students can afford.

Agreed, but at the end of the day it was just a bad decision, regardless.

 

[Huckleberry]

Agreed, but at the end of the day it was just a bad decision, regardless.

Yep. Good intentions, but poor execution. Things do need to change, but as long as school systems contract out the food service with strict standards, students are going to get the cheapest possible menu. The company providing the food (and the school board that hired them) doesn’t really care if kids eat it as long as the contract is fulfilled — as cheaply as possible for the school system and with as much profit as possible for the business.

 

[Its On A Slab]

I thought school food was bad long before Michelle Obama came along.

It was a long time after elementary school that the smell of yeast rolls baking didn't instill dread and nausea in me. Maybe it was the association with the wicked teachers and principal that we had. Those fiends would be visited by child welfare today.

 

[75thru79]

It was a long time after elementary school that the smell of yeast rolls baking didn't instill dread and nausea in me.

Are you kidding me??? The yeast rolls were the absolute best thing on the lunchroom menu. When I was in high school, before I was 16 and could get a job, I would take the lunch menu my mom gave me and I would get three of the yeast rolls (they were huge) and pocket the rest of the money.

 

[75thru79]

Yep. Good intentions, but poor execution. Things do need to change, but as long as school systems contract out the food service with strict standards, students are going to get the cheapest possible menu. The company providing the food (and the school board that hired them) doesn’t really care if kids eat it as long as the contract is fulfilled — as cheaply as possible for the school system and with as much profit as possible for the business.

You're being a little too cynical. My wife volunteered at the high school my boys went to and she spent a couple of years on the food committee. Our school system did really care about the kids and the "cost" of the food, while important, was not the primary motivating factor to who got the contract. They were looking for 1) a solid company that could do the work, 2) provide somewhat healthy food and 3) do it at a fair price.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Yep. Good intentions, but poor execution. Things do need to change, but as long as school systems contract out the food service with strict standards, students are going to get the cheapest possible menu. The company providing the food (and the school board that hired them) doesn’t really care if kids eat it as long as the contract is fulfilled — as cheaply as possible for the school system and with as much profit as possible for the business.

Anyone who could fog a mirror knew what was going to happen before the program even rolled out. The director of CNP (Child Nutrition Program) for our district said, "This is going to be a colossal disaster" and she was exactly right. Millions and millions of taxpayer dollars wasted on thrown out food... Talk about not being in touch with culture.

 

[Huckleberry]

You're being a little too cynical. My wife volunteered at the high school my boys went to and she spent a couple of years on the food committee. Our school system did really care about the kids and the "cost" of the food, while important, was not the primary motivating factor to who got the contract. They were looking for 1) a solid company that could do the work, 2) provide somewhat healthy food and 3) do it at a fair price.

That’s good to hear. I admit that my information is mostly anecdotal, so I’m glad that my negative experiences aren’t the norm everywhere.

 

[Huckleberry]

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/28/health/kennedy-moves-to-eliminate-notice-and-public-comment-requirements-for-certain-hhs-decisions

Kennedy moves to eliminate notice and public comment requirements for certain HHS decisions

The US Department of Health and Human Services has reversed an obscure requirement called the Richardson Waiver, which requires a period of notice and an opportunity for public comment on a wide range of decisions related to “agency management or personnel or to public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts.”

The Richardson Waiver has been in force at the department since 1971 and imposes notice-and-comment periods above and beyond those required under something called the Administrative Procedures Act.

It also says HHS should only make decisions without public notice sparingly.

On Friday, incoming HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., posted a notice to the Federal Register saying the requirements of the waiver “impose costs on the Department and the public, are contrary to the efficient operation of the Department, and impede the Department’s flexibility to adapt quickly to legal and policy mandates.”

The move drew alarm from open government advocates and policy hawks, who said it would only serve to shroud the departments decisions in secrecy.

In his senate confirmation hearings, Kennedy pledged “radical transparency” during his tenure at HHS.

“RFK Jr’s decision to eliminate notice & comment for certain actions enables HHS to operate in secret & without public participation. HHS can ignore the views of key stakeholders like researchers & health advocates. HHS will make crucial public health decisions behind closed doors,” wrote Lawrence Gostin on X. Gostin holds the O’Neill Chair of Global Health Law at Georgetown University.

 

[Maudiemae]

School lunches could be another thread entirely, but as a teacher who has been in schools more years of my life than not, the Michelle Obama regulations did more to make food worse than make it better. The portions are not enough, there is no seasoning, and having everything baked makes it disgusting. The processed meat patties — that meet regulations — barely resemble meat. Vegetables straight out of the can don’t get chosen and the fresh fruit goes straight in the garbage. We need to go back to the school lunches of the 90s and earlier so that the kids that are really hungry will actually get the food and eat it.

Ewww! Just a personal reaction here but I hated our school lunches! I would have loved fresh fruit and fresh veggies but I went to public school from 1961 to 1973 and---gross. I was spoiled by Mama's cooking. Some people liked the lunches and I do not know why.

 

[Huckleberry]

 

[Huckleberry]

 

[mdb-tpet]

View attachment 49731

They are attacking the science industry without engaging in the discussion of what science they want investigated over what has already been approved and funded. A MUCH better way is to let the current science grants and studies play out, then put up funding for what they would rather study. The researchers will follow with grant proposals and then they will get the studies (good or bad) on what they want to study. Just banning studies and words is dumb.

 

[mdb-tpet]

Ewww! Just a personal reaction here but I hated our school lunches! I would have loved fresh fruit and fresh veggies but I went to public school from 1961 to 1973 and---gross. I was spoiled by Mama's cooking. Some people liked the lunches and I do not know why.

My kid's last elementary breakfasts were cooked by a friend/chef, who made souffles and the like in the morning for the kids. I know some kids ate two breakfasts because they loved his souffles so much. I don't know the details on the lunches as my picky kid always took their lunch in, but I doubt the food was as bland as your experience. I ate at the school several times for thanksgiving and the like, and the food was decent enough if you weren't a super picky eater.