RFK Jr. hit with backlash for posting smiling Coachella hiking photo during measles outbreak
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. received backlash from critics and fans alike after posting photos of him hiking above the Coachella Valley over the weekend. 'Afternoon mountaineering above Coachella Valley,' Kennedy wrote in the captions of two photos posted to Instagram, X and Facebook over the weekend. But the photos of Kennedy enjoying the outdoors under the clear blue sky angered people due to the ongoing measles outbreak in New Mexico and Texas. The photo dismayed government officials working to track and contain the outbreak of the disease, some of whom flagged the photo to Politico, complaining that the photo made RFK Jr. appear out of touch.“When you’re taking a selfie out at Coachella, it’s pretty clear that you’re checked out,' a former Trump official told Politico. Thomas Corry, a top spokesperson at the Health and Human Services Department quit on Monday citing disputes with the secretary and his aides about the handling of the outbreak. At least 155 people in West Texas and New Mexico have contracted the measles this year and one child has died. Last year there were 16 different outbreaks and 285 cases of the measles. The newly-confirmed secretary, who routinely advocates for Americans to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine posted the photo on Sunday, but he was soon criticized for taking some time off in California. RFK Jr. posted photos of him hiking in California on Sunday RFK Jr. posted photos of him hiking in California on Sunday'Make the HHS Secretary Stop Traveling and Go to Work Again!' wrote Damin Toell on X in response to the photos. Even supporters urged the secretary to get back to work, noting he only had four more years to deliver radical health and nutritional changes. 'Please hike back to DC and make it illegal to make and sell “dead” food (next to zero nutritional value) in America,' wrote Christoffer Hallas on X. 'You only have 4 years and this is your one shot. Counting on you sir.''Glad to see you had a wonderful time in the great outdoors. Now...GET BACK TO WORK!!! It's time to clean house!!' wrote Carol Touhy in a top ranked comment on Facebook.Others complained that Kennedy had not done more to remove coronavirus treatments from doctor's offices. Priscilla Luna holds her 3 year-old daughter Avery Dahl, while she gets the MMR vaccine from Raynard Covarrubio at a vaccine clinic Boxes and vials of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella Virus Vaccine at a vaccine clinic'While you spent "afternoon mountaineering above Coachella Valley, a mother and/or father took their toddler to emergency room, unknowingly permitted physicians/nurses administer COVID THERAPEUTIC,' wrote 'Ms Susan' on X. 'Forgive me, I'm not impressed.'Fox News published an op-ed from Kennedy on Sunday, where he said he was 'deeply concerned' about the outbreak and urged parents to consider vaccinating their children with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.'The decision to vaccinate is a personal one,' he wrote. 'Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons.'RFK also urged Americans to maintain a nutritious diet calling it the 'best defense' against infectious diseases.
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RFK Jr. hit with backlash for posting smiling Coachella hiking photo during measles outbreak
