Measles vaccinations

[Cindy28]

Hey hosts,

Is anyone else concerned about guests arriving with the measles? Should we start requiring proof of measles vaccinations from our guests?

[Sarah977]

@Lisa723  Oh, I didn't say they weren't highly contagious, just that you'd have to be in fairly close contact to catch it. And different diseases are transmitted in different ways. Hepatitis A is extremely contagious though saliva, so drinking out of a glass that hadn't been properly washed, having someone cough or sneeze on you who had it are ways it could be easily transmitted. But just touching a towel or sheet that someone who had it used wouldn't do it, unless you then touched your hands to your mouth withut washing them thoroughly as it's not transmitted through the skin. And just because something is highly contagious, doesn't necessarily mean that everyone who comes in contact with it will contract it. Depends somewhat on your immune system, if you're otherwise quite healthy, your age, etc. 

[Lisa723]

@Sarah977  you definitely do not have to be in contact to get measles. It remains active and contractable in air and on surfaces for hours after the infected person has left. We have an outbreak in our area and local medical facilities have an extensive protocol to isolate infected patients and disinfect treatment areas after they have left.

(To be clear, I'm not worried about measles on my own or my children's behalf because we have all been vaccinated, and I won't be asking guests for proof of vaccination. But I'm furious at the people who choose to subject infants and immunocompromised people to this risk, for completely irrational "reasons.")

[Cherie-and-Bill0]

I agree, I think Airbnb should have a "button" on the reservation page to ask for a picture of the shot record - proof of vaccination. My wife and I received the second Moderna dose yesterday, but were advised to keep wearing masks because we could harbor the virus in our noses, be able to spread it to others, and have no symptoms ourselves.

[Julie143]

Many adults would not be able to provide proof, even if they were vaccinated. I know I was because my mother is very pro-vaccine (nurse) and said I was, but I doubt either of us would be able to find the records. Things get lost over time.

[Linda108]

I am old enough to have lived through getting the measles as there was no vaccine.and therefore could not provide documentation.  What about that?

[Erica306]

@Linda108 Wow how amazing you were able to defeat the measles. Hell yeah! 😄 Out of curiosity, were you a child or an adult when you had it? Was there also anything that specifically helped you in reducing symptoms during that time? With the current outbreaks being highlighted in the media, I kind of feel like Airbnb would not ask for any documentation from both hosts or guests, considering it might interrupt the flow of business

[Sarah977]

@Erica306  Almost all of us of a certain age had measles as children. And my 3 children also had measles. You feel super sick for a week. Room to be kept dark, as light hurts the eyes. Lots of fluids. It really wasn't that big a deal. Keep in mind that the media likes to play up whatever is sensational and will sell their papers and news shows. Measles can be quite bad or even fatal in countries where there is poor sanitation, poor hygiene, no access to clean water, etc. But in 1st world countries, it's rarely more than uncomfortable and irritating. 

It isn't in the same category as polio, ebola virus, or smallpox.

[Lisa723]

@Sarah977 except for pregnant women...

[Sarah977]

@Lisa723  Yes, but that's German measles (rubella), not red measles. 

[Linda108]

The vaccine was not available until the 60's, I believe and I was born in the 40's.  For chicken pox and measles, parents would intentionally expose their children to these childhood diseases so they would know when the child would be sick and could plan for it.  Another strain of measles was associated with teens and young adults and at the time was called "German measles".  I got that in high school.  No big deal.  Stayed out of school for a week, I think.

I agree with @Sarah977 that this is being played up beyond proportion.  In the US, measles was effectively erradicated until some parents became concerned about vaccinations and now it is back.  

[Emilia42]

Nope, not concerned and never actually thought about it.

[Donna370]

I have the same concern. I just wrote to abnb for help about this. They said they thought I would be discriminating but would look into it a bit more. In the summer, my small NH town plays host to hundreds/thousands of ultra orthodox Jews from Rockland Cty, NY and NYC.....pretty much ground zero for the recent measles outbreak. My home is next door to the rabbi and across the street from the synagogue. I rented successfully to several families in that sect last summer and am hoping to again this summer BUT...I am very concerned about hosting people who are going to infect my neighbors/town. I disagree with ABNB and said it was not a religious issue (nowhere in the Bible or Torah does it say 'thou shalt not vaccinate") I wanted to make it a rule for all guests. It is also not a religious thing but a geographic thing (this sect's followers make frequent trips to Israel, which is also having a huge problem with measles) and a preference on the part of those parents to not vaccinate. Isn't ok to say if it is their preference to not vaccinate it is my preference to not risk having a deadly disease in my home?  I don;t want to seem discriminatory but also don't want to open myself up to harming others by allowing those with a deadly disease--one that is HIGHLY contagious and which can live for up to 4 hours on surfaces--into the area without taking some precautions. It's tricky. Help!! Suggestions?

[Linda108]

Please help me understand a little better.  You are concerned that someone who is not vaccinated for measles will be in your home and perhaps be a carrier for the measle virus that will be infectious for your family and guests.  If your family and/or guests are not vaccinated, then your concern is understandable. However, if someone is not vaccinated, and therefore at risk for another person not vaccinated, is that not their risk and not your liability?  Am I missing something?  

I realize there are those whose health will not allow them to be vaccinated, but your assumption of responsibility for that situation seems to be unrealistic.  

Again, speaking as a person of age that never had measle vaccines but did have measles twice (2 different strains), I think the media is hyping this issue.  The bigger issue is the misinformation that is out there about vaccinations.

[Sandra126]

When we were children, we were encouraged to play with other children who had all these childhood diseases so we got them over an done with as small kids. It was seen as a good thing, everyone did it. Once you are an adult, they all hit you so much harder. We also had all the standard immunisations. My sister got most of them despite being immunised, I only got measles.  Was in the 60s, things were new. Maybe you can still get things in today's modern vacc situation even if you are immunised, I am not sure? Maybe ask your doctor, @Donna370 ?