In Scientology terminology, we thought “going on a Cruise” meant jumping on Oprah‘s couch and telling Matt Lauer he was glib.
But apparently they have their own luxury liner, too!
The Freewinds is a cruise ship bought by the Church in 1985 and reportedly used for training seminars for high-level OT VIII members. Those are the highest of the high, the ones who know all about the alien stuff.
Tom Cruise (no relation) may be a level all his own, but we’re talking about the people right up there with him.
Related: Scientologists Have To Go See Every Tom Cruise Movie
Unfortunately for the practitioners, even their advanced thetan counts were no match for a measles outbreak.
The nearly 300 passengers and crew aboard the Freewinds have been quarantined since Monday evening, when a female crew member was confirmed to have a case of the rare viral infection.
The ship is currently docked in the Caribbean port of St. Lucia, and no one is allowed to leave.
The island’s chief medical officer, Dr. Merlene Fredericks-James, released a statement explaining:
“Measles in a highly contagious disease. Anyone who is not adequately immunized against measles can contract the disease, if there has been close contact with a confirmed case. It is therefore likely that other persons on the boat may have been exposed.”
The ship is free to leave the island, as they don’t have the authority to hold it, but they aren’t taking any chances with anyone disembarking.
Well, we say measles is “rare.” That’s becoming less true…
The virus WAS extremely rare, with less than 200 confirmed cases in the U.S. in 2015. That’s because it’s easily preventable by the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine.
Unfortunately the ridiculous anti-vaxxer movement has corralled many parents into believing conspiracy theories about vaccines causing other disorders, like autism.
Video: John Oliver Takes On Donald Trump’s Anti-Vaccine Comments!
Despite the total lack of scientific basis, far too many parents have been convinced and are now refusing to vaccinate their children, leading to an extreme rise in cases. Remember “less than 200”? In the year from March 2018 to February 2019 there were 72,408 cases in the U.S.
Great job, conspiracy theorists.
Just this week, there was a scare at a movie theater outside Los Angeles when an infected person decided they just had to break quarantine to see Avengers: Endgame in a packed theater before it got spoiled for them.
Spoiler alert: What you just did was dangerous and the opposite of heroic.
Ironically, while the Church of Scientology is infamous for its strong position against psychiatry and any psychological medications, they actually are NOT on this anti-vaccination bandwagon.
According to their official website:
“Scientologists seek conventional medical treatment for illnesses and injuries. Scientologists use prescription drugs when physically ill and also rely on the advice and treatment of physicians.”
And yet, they’re still the victims of the ever-increasing danger as more and more easily influenced parents screw up the herd immunity ALL of us being vaccinated grants.
Be safe out there, everyone!
[Image via Church of Scientology/YouTube/CBS/WENN.]
Related Posts
-
Categories
