Right now, the official website of Pete Buttigieg lists none of his policy positions (something that’s not altogether uncommon early into primaries as candidates fundraise). But we got a glimpse into his stance on vaccinations yesterday, and it wasn’t a good one.
Anti-vaccination advocates (or “anti-vaxxers” as they’re called) have been responsible for over 700 measles outbreaks across the U.S., the worst outbreaks we’ve seen in decades. Anti-vaxxers use junk science, religious and personal beliefs to justify not vaccinating their kids, and now several states are considering laws that would allow anti-vaxxers the legal right to exempt their children from vaccinations that protect society against easily preventable and highly contagious illnesses.
So, Buzzfeed News asked 11 Democratic presidential candidates the following questions: “What do you believe about vaccines? Do you believe vaccines are a possible cause of autism? Do you support efforts to end religious and personal belief exemptions, leaving only medical exemptions?”
Joe Biden and Senator Amy Klobuchar both didn’t answer the questions but have supported vaccinations in the past. Other candidates alternately said they supported mandatory vaccinations, rejected exemptions or didn’t believe they cause autism.
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Buttigieg’s initial response made him the only candidate to openly support exemptions for personal beliefs and religious reasons. His campaign said:
“The law of the land for more than a century has been that states may enforce mandatory vaccination for public safety to prevent the spread of a dangerous disease. Pete does support some exceptions, except during a public health emergency to prevent an outbreak
In particular, Buttigieg believes exemptions are appropriate for people who can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons. Personal belief and religious exemptions should only be allowed in states that aren’t facing a public health crisis and where herd immunity rates of vaccination are maintained.
“These exemptions include medical exemptions in all cases (as in cases where it is unsafe for the individual to get vaccinated), and personal/religious exemptions if states can maintain local herd immunity and there is no public health crisis.”
The response made no sense. He supports people not getting vaccinated in states that aren’t facing a public health crisis, but guess what causes public health crises: people not getting vaccinated. And herd immunity only works when “rates of vaccination are maintained,” so allowing exemptions threatens that too.
Related: Pete Buttigieg doesn’t want America’s 2.3 million prisoners to vote
Buttigieg immediately got mocked online for his clueless response, causing his campaign to issue a “clarification” that almost entirely contradicted his original statement:
“Pete believes vaccines are safe and effective and are necessary to maintaining public health,” the spokesperson said. “There is no evidence that vaccines are unsafe, and he believes children should be immunized to protect their health. He is aware that in most states the law provides for some kinds of exemptions. He believes only medical exemptions should be allowed.”
While Buttigieg’s entire campaign rests upon his ability to bridge differences between the right and left, some viewpoints aren’t worth compromising on. It’s not worth building a bridge to accommodate ignorant and dangerous views based entirely on fear.
Diplomat-G
This is getting old, hey Queerty did you actually read what he said because if you had you would find that your hit piece is bullshit.
Brian
They quoted what he said, as well as the follow-up. What exactly is the bullshit part?
dwes09
It is not bullshit, and as progressive as Buttigieg seems to be on some issues, he clearly fails to understand both the importance of sound public health policy and the way in which vaccines work. One cannot wait until there is a public health emergency to vaccinate, as there is then not enough time for the immune system to respond and provide protection!
This is the problem with way too many “people of faith,” a tenuous grip on the real world. The ONLY valid reason for a vaccination deferral is allergy or other medical reason. There can be no deferrals for religious reasons, as there is no real religious law that opposes them.
Hdtex
Why so triggered princess? Pretty sure they quoted him verbatim.
raypedia
His response makes plenty of sense, if you understand the issue and the science behind vaccination. My bet is that the author of this piece, and many of the commenters, couldn’t explain “herd immunity” if their lives depended on it.
It used to be, in the era before “lifestyle” anti-vax BS, that we survived just fine with a tiny few people exercising legitimate, good-faith religious reasons for resisting vaccinations (along with most medical care generally). It wasn’t until the current climate of ridiculousness that vaccination rates started to have an actual impact on public health. Recognizing this, Buttigieg says that he still believes in actual, legitimate good-faith religious-based exemptions, provided that all the non-religious anti-vax bullshit would be ignored, and even then he’d oppose religious exemptions in cases of demonstrated public health crises or situations in which herd immunity would not provide sufficient cushion.
There’s nothing non-sensical or unreasonable about this stance. It recognizes that a lot of the anti-vax stuff is not legitimately religious, it’s more “lifestyle” oriented and deserves zero accommodation. Unfortunately it’s not a one-word answer, and requires you to actually give a damn about policy, science, and nuance… things, I’m afraid, our current media (and perhaps this article’s author) care little about.
man5996853
Your definition of hit piece equates to “the legitimate criticism of any gay person.”
Chrisk
Yeah, Obama tried building bridges too and we all know how well that turned out. There is no both sides are right here. Just take a stand against stupidity.
Brian
It reminds me of when Meg Ryan ran for governor of California. I was really intrigued when she entered the race. I loved the idea of a business CEO being in charge, since California’s spending is out of control, and I think our politicians are nightmares.
But instead of taking firm stands, she tried to be everything to everyone, and just came across as wishy washy and pandering and I had no idea what she stood for. She spent a fortune on political consultants. And lost. She had my vote on day one, but by election day I was disgusted by her. I voted Libertarian that year.
DCguy
@Brian
If you’re going to parrot right wing talking points you may want to check them.
California has run surpluses ever since the Democrats took over a super majority, multi-billion dollar surpluses. Meanwhile red states like Kansas and Oklahoma were on the verge of bankruptcy and courts had to order them to try to fund their education systems.
Brian
You really think a spending problem only exists if the ledger is in the red? Did you get a finance degree at the same school as AOC?
truthseeker
@DCguy
“California has run surpluses”
Meanwhile they have more homeless people than people in school and San Francisco is on track to spend tens of millions of dollars a year to clean up the streets because people are literally shitting in the streets and on the sidewalks
Stop being partisan for just a few seconds. It won’t hurt you, I promise
Brian
Yes, the Meg Ryan mistake was pointed out to me. Obviously I meant Mae Whitman, Meg’s costar in the classic alcoholic drama “When a Man Loves a Woman”.
youarederanged
@DCguy
Where do you live that you talk about CA in such a know it all way?
I was just driving down three LA freeways while crossing town, and there are huge sections of torn up lanes, trash covering miles of emergency shoulders, and homeless encampments peppered throughout the entire stretch of the city.
Any notion that the super majority democrat control of this state has led to positive results financially is just partisan bs. Our state is a trash hole right now. San Fran, LA, San Diego. They’re disgusting, unless you’re in the rich liberal neighborhoods where there are walls and security.
Funny thing is, I was recently in Honolulu and was stunned by how gross that city has become. It makes LA look pristine. And yet the face of Hawaii politics is who? The deranged liberal who can’t stop spewing.
Seems to be the liberal approach though. Just go around spewing hatred of the other side while ignoring the people you represent.
Meanwhile every liberal stronghold is quite literally being overrun with homeless people. Liberal policies at work.
Vince
youarederanged
I live in LA too and it’s not the wasteland you speak of. Yes there are places where the homeless encampments are pretty bad. LA is a beacon for people from all over though. Not to mention it’s warm. I’d rather be homeless here then say Missouri where it’s 30 below in the winter.
DuMaurier
Well, there is another option; which is to say, “We respect the fact that you have sincere beliefs about this, but in this case public health has to take priority.”
Ronbo
@ Brian
“Meg Ryan”? Really? Meg Whitman was the politician.
Why are the people with the least knowledge often the most confident in their opinions? It’s time to draw back your comments and confidence.
Kids, pay attention in school. You don’t want to be see as a public idiot, also.
ingyaom
I agree – if religious people don’t want to vaccinate, let them … but then they have to stay in church.
DCguy
IF people want to claim a religious reason for ANYTHING, I think they should have to prove to the court that they follow every single dictate of that Religion.
Let’s see, Kim Davis, you don’t want to allow LGBT people to marry because of your religions? Well you’re on your 4th husband and cheated on previous husbands, so no, you don’t get to even bring up the argument.
Mike Pence, you want to use your religion as an excuse to pass allow allowing businesses to discriminate? Well your children have talked back to you and you didn’t kill them, so sorry, you don’t get to use that argument.
truthseeker
@DCguy
So when a Muslim woman wants to wear a hijab covering her face in a government building or to take a government ID photo, you think she should prove that she follows every dictate of Sharia Law?
Brian
What’s especially funny is that DC Guy is one of the worst people here for calling out people on comments that he perceives to be stupid. Then he says this sh!t with a straight face. I guess he thinks our court system has nothing better to do than verify biblical checklists for millions of people?
Vince
truthseeker
Not a good analogy. The women with the hijabs present a security threat which is a different subject all together. The other point is just Christians being hypocrites. I agree that it should be a mandatory rule if for nothing else to just shut them up.
DuMaurier
Dumb
dwes09
A hijab is a scarf that covers the hair and has no effect on the ability of an ID picture to confirm identity. Nobody allows women to take ID pictures, or enter government buildings in a Burqa, though they may allow them to validate their identity in a private space to a female officer to protect modesty. You regressives really have a very poor grip on reality. Too bad there are not courses in middle school on how to think and on the difference between imagination and fact.
You all could benefit from that.
As for the homeless problem in California, that has no bearing at all on the booming economy of Ca under a democratic administration. It has more to do with our climate drawing people homeless here, the opposition of the right to rent control and low income housing, as well as other programs to help people out of poverty (many of our homeless are working people, but the right has no desire to offer subsidies to anyone bot corporate entities, the homeless could die for all they care…in fact the libertarians wish they would all die!). Federal support for veterans has created the horrendous problem of veteran homelessness, not democratic governance in California.
truthseeker
@dwes09
“As for the homeless problem in California, that has no bearing at all on the booming economy of Ca under a democratic administration. It has more to do with our climate drawing people homeless here”
LOL yeah okay. California isn’t the only state with warm weather. Arizona, Texas, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, etc. don’t have the type of homelessness problem that California has.
“the opposition of the right to rent control and low income housing”
California is in the top 3 most expensive states to live in, same with New York. Both are blue states. The right has nothing to do with the cost of living or the homelessness in California but it pains you to admit that, so you still blame them anyway.
Ronbo
@ Brian
Writing “DC Guy is one of the worst people here” ignores Brian. You know Brian, the person who confuses Meg Whitman with Meg Ryan!
Please take your ignorance and hate back to your hole over at Red State.
truthseeker
I thought many on the left supported the notion, “My Body, My Choice”. Kind of contradictory to support that belief and believe the government should force all people to have government mandated medical shots
PinkoOfTheGange
Most of us don’t operate in the margins of false equivalencies.
Brian
By that logic we should be allowed to drive drunk. Once your choices have the potential to kill other people it’s a whole new ballgame.
theafricanwiththemouth
It’s a different thing entirely if your choices are a danger to others safety…
OMG, the way some of you here spill nonsense is beyond me.
truthseeker
“Once your choices have the potential to kill” & “if your choices are a danger to others”
So deciding to kill your baby isn’t endangering the the life of another living being. Got it
Brian
Well now you’re getting into the debate over when a baby is considered a baby and when it’s considered a fetus or a clump of cells. Which I’m sure there is a legal definition somewhere.
And I could see that predictable response coming from a mile away. Try harder.
dwes09
Sorry child, vaccination is a public health issue, reproductive choice is not …at least not in the same way.
Please learn how to think.
Rock-N-RollHS
@ truthseeker. It’s not to late to abort yourself. Lol. I think we need more abortions in this country! Fire up the tongs!
IWantAFullBeard
I’ve found the Mayor Pete doesn’t make a whole lot of sense quite frequently. His talking points on free college seem incredibly myopic and illogical. But cute guy.
PinkoOfTheGange
Actually religion has always been given the right to refuse vaccines.
It was the addition of personal choice that caused the loss of herd immunity.
He is just going back to the original policy that eradicated measles in the US a few years ago.
raypedia
^^^ THIS.
Thank you.
Adam
Dear Queerty: Please stop running bullshit headlines about Pete Buttigieg in a transparent effort to derail his candidacy.
Beachman
Agreed….listen to what Obama said recently….Democrats need to stop attacking each other, and beat the Republicans at their own game. Find a candidate to fall in live with, and not one to fall in love with in 2020.
Mayor Pete is being very strategic on how he’s running his campaign. He’s following the Trump playbook which is driving liberals crazy. He has plenty of time to release more specifics on his policies. Voting doesn’t begin for over 9 months, and new candidates are joining the race each week. He has plenty of time to get into policy specifics. Get the people familiar with him first, and to like him before getting to far into the weeds.
Wait until the debates….no other candidate can hold a candle to this guy. You just watch….he’s going to be a player for a long time.
TedV
Speaking for myself, I got my finance degree at a school where we know the difference between Meg Ryan and Meg Whitman.
Brian
Lol, did I really did write that, didn’t I? In my defense, I had what she was having.
Ronbo
Apparently, Brian got his “degree” at Walgreens and is excited that it’s also both a deodorant and antiperspirant!
Go to school kids. You don’t want to be seen as just another hateful loudmouth who has to yell loud and often just to be acknowledged.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Sorry Petey, epic fail!
Everyone is entitled to their beliefs, however others rights (in this case to not contract a potential deadly disease “Trump” your beliefs…
youarederanged
The extreme left are going to destroy this guy’s chances. They hate his desire to represent many different people with a wide range of beliefs. He’s way to big tent for them. They like they’re soldiers all thinking alike. Diversity in appearance and orientations, but never diversity of thought.
truthseeker
^This
The drones want every Democratic candidate to have the same views on every issue while at the same time preaching diversity.
They want diversity of race and gender, not diversity of thought
niles
Should celebrities be allowed to undergo plastic surgery that renders their faces indistinguishable from a cow’s udder? I say no, and that is why I support the Meg Ryan Care Act. Stop the madness! Also, Butti may have peaked too soon.
Brian
I’m partial to Meg’s foreign policy plan of using Botox as a chemical weapon against our enemies. It will either paralyze then or make them look so fabulous that they won’t want to mess it up with fighting.
Hussain-TheCanadian
Can someone please explain to me how vaccination is antichristian again?
I thought people who peddled anti-vaccination did so because they believed it harmed their children, I’m not sure I understand what does it have to do with Christian beliefs?
Brian
Because disease is God’s weapon of choice?
PinkoOfTheGange
It is pretty much just Cristian Science (prayer heals all), and Hasidic Jews (interferes with G*d’s plans(?).
dwes09
There is no Jewish interdiction against vaccination. Chassidim are like Charismatic Christians in that the Rebbe has final say on religious law (so the beliefs of the various Chassidic sects are all over the place). Most Ultra Orthodox and Chassids vaccinate because the safety of the community takes precedence over individual choice. A few Rebbes might be stupid, and their followers will share that stupidity.
PinkoOfTheGange
Well all I know is that there is a perpetual hot spot in that part of Brooklyn. So it could be one or a few leaders.
djmcgamester
Anti-Vaxxers need to be put in quarantine. They are a public menace. Remember how it’s illegal to knowingly infect a person with HIV? Yeah, it’s the same, and I mean that seriously. They know there’s potential to cause harm to others but just don’t care.
winemaker
Re vaccination: sorry Pete, but the majority rules here when it comes to infectious diseases, like measles, chicken pox and mumps to just name three. Vaccinations help prevent illness and the spread of illnesses like the aforementioned three. Take a look at the recent measles outbreak, as an example.
Rock-N-RollHS
Pete was thinking through an issue and his initial response sounded logical–measles cases are rising but the threat is very overplayed in the media at the moment–better chance of getting hit by a rouge bike or car or Trump falling on you from a plane (read the stats)–but PG is smart and clearly can admit when he makes a mistake, a welcome quality in a leader.
Felecia
Getting back to the ‘which state has more homeless’ debate, I’ve worked in shelters in Seattle, Portland OR, Honolulu, and Orlando. I can tell you with absolute certainty why so many flock to California and Hawaii; since these states have an incredibly high cost-of-living, people mistakenly believe that unskilled-labor gets paid more just to keep up with it and afford rent. Minimum wage is federal…no employer is going to pay a higher salary to ANYBODY unless they have experience and a degree, no matter what state they’re operating in. They don’t legally have to, so why spend the money is the policy; and yes, the good weather is a factor in a few of these places. Yet the homeless ‘beach camps’ that spring up continue to draw a lot of bodies that were so sure the pay would be better than in wherever they came from. Broken dreams and broke wallets; welcome to capitalist America in All 50 States and Territories, where your rent problems are no concern to the hiring elite, lol….sleep in your car, but just show up for your shift or they will find someone who can. Portland was full of these hopeful souls thinking that California was the answer, and when it wasn’t, they spent their last dollars flying to Hawaii to keep chasing the dream. Orlando attracts folks who assume that the Tragic Kingdom is always hiring people to do the crappy, unskilled stuff like garbage detail at the area theme parks; but Mickey and his pals want a detailed, up-to-the-minute background check with no negative report and several references that can be affirmed immediately upon submitting an application. Even the toilet-scrubbers have to provide this information, and most people -homeless or not- lack such a squeaky-clean record these days, lol….so the belief of better pay continues to tempt the faithful who will not listen to the harsh reality until they are living in a tent themselves. Sad….