For my piece, I wanted to do a play on the iconic American painting “American Gothic” by Grant Wood. This image depicts a scientist/healthcare provider with a red ‘x’ over their mouth and a rural farmer infected with the measles. I wanted to highlight the rapid decline of trust and silencing in medicine and science in modern-day America, particularly in rural communities, and what the future holds for America if Trump’s Administration continues its crusade against medicine and science.

As RFK Jr., a vehement anti-vaxxer and the man whose irresponsible and scientifically false rhetoric of the measles vaccines led to an outbreak of measles and the death of more than 80 people, mainly babies and children, in the country of Samoa, takes the office of the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, I fear this is the only the beginning of highly preventable deaths in our communities. As someone who works at a hospital lab, I am already beginning to see the impact of anti-science and medicine rhetoric on our community.

The CDC states as of 3/6/2025, 222 measles cases have been reported in 12 states, one of which is Washington, and those numbers are expected to grow. Most of those infected were not vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

According to the Bellingham Herald, in Gaines County, Texas, where the largest measles outbreak is currently taking place, the MMR vaccine rate among the County’s population is 82%. In Whatcom County, the vaccine rate for both doses of the MMR vaccine is 81%, well below the federal target level of 95% to keep communities safe. With a current confirmed case in King County, this should ring some alarm bells.

Sources:
Bellingham Herald: Measles found in King County. Low vaccination rates mean Whatcom County risks an outbreak
CDC: Measles Cases and Outbreaks
The Guardian: ‘We learned the hard way’: Samoa remembers a deadly measles outbreak and a visit from RFK Jr
Komo News: Measles case in Washington raises outbreak fears as vaccination rates decline
New York Times: Unvaccinated Child Dies of Measles in Texas Outbreak
Texas Health and Human Resources: Measles Outbreak – March 7, 2025
World Health Organization: Measles Health Topics