by Nikki Silverstein
HERO: Marin has the highest vaccination opt-out rate in the Bay Area and now we have two confirmed cases of measles. What will it take to convince parents to choose science over myth? Enter Jon Stewart, Marin’s Measles Messiah. In a Daily Show segment entitled “Les Measlesrable,” he rolled video of a Marin woman being interviewed by a reporter. “We live here in Marin County,” Tracy Skytt said. “It’s a well-educated group of people. It’s a thoughtful group of people. If parents are choosing not to vaccinate, it’s probably for a reason.” To which Stewart replied, “This is Marin County. They’re not rednecks. They’re not ignorant. They practice a mindful stupidity.” Parents, please vaccinate your children and stop putting the health of others at risk.
ZERO: As Mill Valley Swirl devotees, it leaves a bad taste in our mouths to name the popular frozen yogurt shop as this week’s Zero. Tuesday evening, Swirl staff treated customers to servings of industrial strength cleaner, spraying an ammonia-laden liquid within inches of patrons’ faces and food. Two people began coughing and hurried out the door. Were the workers cleaning up a yogurt spill? Nope. Though the store closes at 9pm, the eager young ladies began their chemical assault at 8:30, leaving us to wonder if they were in a rush to leave or if their boss pinches pennies. The Agency for Toxic Substances states that ammonia inhalation may cause nasopharyngeal and tracheal burns, bronchiolar and alveolar edema, and airway destruction. Yummy.
