3 ms·
My generation was the first to be spared from polio. But I had relatives that were not as lucky. I knew kids just a few years older than me who lived in iron
by rmason 6y ago
My generation was the first to be spared from polio. But I had relatives that were not as lucky. I knew kids just a few years older than me who lived in iron lungs. This is a massive accomplishment that should be celebrated.
- stephenhuey 6y agoI was born decades after the vaccine, but the reality of polio was prominent in my mind because a friend’s mom was left with a limp wrist after having polio as a child. So I was cheering for Dikembe Mutombo, one of my favorite NBA players, when I heard he was putting some of his fame and fortune towards fighting polio. On April 13, 2011, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health gave Mutombo the Goodermote Humanitarian Award for his work against polio both globally and in Congo, his home country.
- zaphar 6y agoMy Mom nearly died from it when she was a kid. The lifelong complications can be really debilitating even if you survive. I'll be very happy when it's declared fully eradicated everywhere.
- koheripbal 6y agoI think the celebration is slightly premature. Several areas in the African interior are inaccessible due to conflict, so testing is not possible. ... so we are not really certain it's been eradicated in those areas. Also important is the possibility of environmental reservoirs for the disease in nature. Hopefully not, but it is still possible. Only continued vigilance can guarantee victory. Many areas were declared polio free once before, only to have it resurface.
- TempLogsForOne 6y agoYou mustn't twist yourself into knots. You are correct, and this WHO body declaration has nothing to do with the facts on the face of things.
- koheripbal 6y ago> this WHO body declaration has nothing to do with the facts ...par for the course these days.