After months of being the national punchline for the biggest measles outbreak in decades, Lubbock County has managed to go nearly 60 days without a new case. Katherine Wells, the city’s Director of Public Health, said it took more than 3,000 extra MMR vaccines over last year’s numbers to finally slow the spread. Turns out, science works when people actually use it.
Meanwhile, Gaines County is clocking in at about 42 days measles-free, which is apparently the magic number since measles has a 21-day incubation period. Hit that cycle twice, and officials can officially call it “measles-free.” Who knew math and medicine could team up to make life suck slightly less?
Wells gave the cautious reminder that just because Lubbock’s been clear for two months doesn’t mean the coast is clear. Measles is still bouncing around across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, and it only takes one vacationer to turn your school year into a CDC case study.
So yeah—get the shot. It’s either that or enjoy explaining to your kid why their “back-to-school” outfit includes an isolation gown.
