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On Facebook, anti-vaxxers urged a mom not to give her son Tamiflu. He later died.
Facebook hosts a vast network of groups that trade in false health information. On “Stop Mandatory Vaccination,” one of the largest known health misinformation groups with more than 139,000 members, people have solicited advice for how to deal with the flu. Members of the group have previously spread conspiracies that outbreaks of preventable diseases are “hoaxes” perpetrated by the government, and use the groups to mass-contact parents whose children have died and suggest without evidence that vaccines may be to blame.
One recent post came from the mother of a 4-year-old Colorado boy who died from the flu this week. In it, she consulted group members while noting that she had declined to fill a prescription written by a doctor.
The child had not been diagnosed yet, but he was running a fever and had a seizure, the mother wrote. She added that two of her four children had been diagnosed with the flu and that the doctor had prescribed the antiviral Tamiflu for everyone in the household. “The doc prescribed tamiflu I did not pick it up,” she wrote.
None of the 45 comments on the mother’s Facebook post suggested medical attention. The child was eventually hospitalized and died four days later, according to a GoFundMe started on his behalf by his family.
The mother also wrote that the “natural cures” she was treating all four of her children with — including peppermint oil, Vitamin C and lavender — were not working and asked the group for more advice. The advice that came in the comments included breastmilk, thyme and elderberry, none of which are medically recommended treatments for the flu. “Perfect, I’ll try that,” the mother responded.
One recent post came from the mother of a 4-year-old Colorado boy who died from the flu this week. In it, she consulted group members while noting that she had declined to fill a prescription written by a doctor.
The child had not been diagnosed yet, but he was running a fever and had a seizure, the mother wrote. She added that two of her four children had been diagnosed with the flu and that the doctor had prescribed the antiviral Tamiflu for everyone in the household. “The doc prescribed tamiflu I did not pick it up,” she wrote.
None of the 45 comments on the mother’s Facebook post suggested medical attention. The child was eventually hospitalized and died four days later, according to a GoFundMe started on his behalf by his family.
The mother also wrote that the “natural cures” she was treating all four of her children with — including peppermint oil, Vitamin C and lavender — were not working and asked the group for more advice. The advice that came in the comments included breastmilk, thyme and elderberry, none of which are medically recommended treatments for the flu. “Perfect, I’ll try that,” the mother responded.
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/facebook-anti-vaxxers-pushed-mom-not-give-her-son-tamiflu-n1131936
42 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
Last edited Fri Feb 7, 2020, 06:35 PM - Edit history (1)
Change them.
(Oops. Was supposed to say "Charge them"
I would think that insurance would have covered a good portion of it. I'll definitely mention GoodRX for any future need. Thank you so much. 
group. I have only one thing to say about that.
Look, I don't care if you are a dumbass who doesn't listen to proven science. Don't force others to wallow in your stupidity. 
for hosting "Stop Mandatory Vaccination,” one of the largest known health misinformation groups on Facebook with more than 139,000 members.
and welcome to DU, Vivienne! 
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Link to tweet
