Disease(s) from the south
Another reason to put the brakes on illegal immigration. (As Biden opens the floodgates)
I wrote a paper for a technical writing course in college in 1967.. entitled “Tuberculosis - we are number One!” - Did that at Pan American College, yes a mere 15 miles from Reynosa Mexico. Wrote about the two Texas border counties - Hidalgo and Cameron. The paper pointed out that because of the then “porous” border, with lots of crossing back and forth from Mexico TB was high. Turns out our two south Texas counties were number one in the US for tuberculosis cases. And oh yes, when they did the tuberculin skin tests on us at school.. I was one of the very few that was negative - all the other kids (80% had ties to Mexico.. hint) - they all had positive tests that meant they had been “exposed” to TB.. figure that out and you come to one conclusion.. they had experienced TB and not gotten sick, but overcame it and now had antibodies to fight it off.
But - the point is - of ALL of the recent invaders from the south, we have done no health screening, no “vaccination” checking and given no vaccinations as far as I can tell. Even in the midst of COVID, until recently Ex-patriates could not come visit and cross into the USA through normal channels without a documented vaccination card with COVID listed - just ask a very famous and number one tennis player about that! But hundreds of thousands of folks from the south just walk across… or in Texas wade across the Rio Grande. And they bring diseases with them. Here is the latest concern I have as a doctor....
CONGENITAL SYPHILLIS - The fetus acquires the infection in utero when momma gets syphillis from her husband, boyfriend.. what ever. In Texas.. my wife and I had to get a syphilis test before we could get a marriage license..in 1969 or so.. I wonder if Texas still requires that? Babies born in hospital get a syphillis test and if detected it can be treated after birth. But not all babies are born in hospitals. Let’s see - how do I spell curandera? or let’s just say midwife… Point is, now it is a big problem and Texas leads the nation. Wow I bet the left leaning Chamber of Commerce who gives money to the Democrats wouldn’t want this spread around too much… but here is an article.
Texas Makes Up Largest Share Of Congenital Syphilis Cases
The Houston Chronicle (5/9, Gill) reports, “The number of babies born with syphilis in the U.S. continued its upward climb in 2021...data shows, worrying doctors and public health investigators in Texas who have been trying to draw attention to what they say is a largely hidden crisis.” Overall, congenital syphilis cases across the US “rose by an ‘alarming’ 32 percent from the previous year, according to a report published last month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” Texas made up “the largest share of cases, 680, and tied Mississippi for the fourth-highest rate of congenital syphilis in the nation with 182 cases per 100,000 live births.”
But the point is.. These diseases that we thought we had control of… syphilis, measles, mumps, tuberculosis… we have lost control because we have a WIDE OPEN border from the south and the disease are again skyrocketing.
Let me point out a superb TV miniseries I think was on Prime Video. Th title was “The English” and the lead character was Emily Blunt.. who was in Mary Poppins recreation as well. It is a rough Western movie about the 1880s or so. But in addition to being a good story line. the cinematography and photos are some of the best I have ever seen on TV. I strongly recommend you watch it (maybe no with the kids though). As to the punch line and why I would add it to this post on syphilis… hint hint hint.
Such an important topic. Tom Wolfe once wrote an essay about the hippies in San Francisco in the 60s, who had tossed away all established western notions of hygiene, coming down with medieval era diseases, stuff the doctors didn’t even have real names for anymore - just “the rot” or “the mange” or something.
Well, we are well on our way to “rediscovering” all sorts of fun 19th century diseases yet again.
I worry too, that the unvaccination rates will rise so high after the Covid vaccine debacle that we will be more vulnerable to polio and other old problems.