Bre Payton was a Fox News commentator and writer for The Federalist.
Bre Payton contracted the H1N1 flu virus, also known as swine flu, and meningitis. On Friday (December 28, 2018), a friend posted on twitter she found Payton unconscious. She was rushed to the hospital where she later died.
She was only 26 years old at the time of her death according to the conservative online magazine.
CaringBridge page, states that she died in hospital where, after hours of tests, doctors had determined she was suffering from H1N1 flu and possible meningitis.
According to County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency Influenza Watch report released on January 2, 2019, there has been 1,730 Total Cases of influenza, out of which 228 or 13.2% of the cases were caused by Influenza A (H1N1 strain). The reports also includes a total of 396 new cases of influenza as of the week 52 (ending 12/29/2018)
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Flu Activity Low Right Now, but Rising.
There are articles written by Payton on The Federalist, where she is heavily critical of the Obama’s affordable care act.
Back in December 7th, 2018, she tweeted “Literally no” along with a screenshot of Hillary Clinton’s Instagram photo which read “Affordable healthcare is a human right.”
Literally no pic.twitter.com/MkhNocyM9t
— Bre Payton (@Bre_payton) December 7, 2018
Not only she was against of affordable care act, it also appears that she was against vaccinations.
Back in Jun 13, 2011, Payton tweeted that “vaccines are from the devil.”
“@latimes: Whooping cough: State urges more people to get vaccinated http://t.co/Aee82iJ” // NOOO! vaccines are from the devil!
— Bre Payton (@Bre_payton) June 13, 2011
Although she tweeted this a few yeas ago, it is not clear if she was truly against vaccinations and if so, whether she continued to have the same belief as she got older or receive any vaccinations in the recent years.
It is very unfortunate and sad that Bre Payton has passed away at such a young age regardless of her personal and political beliefs.
The biggest lesson here, is to understand the importance of vaccinations and to accept the fact that vaccination saves lives. Not only we should all get vaccinated, but we should also try to have a civilized discussion and educate the non-believers by providing them with medical and scientific facts.
Although this seems like a long shot since most anti-vaxxers do not believe in medical and scientific facts and evidence, we should continue to have these discussions with them because by changing the mind of only one of them, not only save their lives but also lives of thousands of others.
How to Prevent the Flu
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot every year. The vaccine is safe and effective. It takes two weeks for immunity to develop.
Vaccination is especially important for people who are at high risk of developing serious complications from influenza. They include:
- People with chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes and lung disease, even if symptoms are under control
- Pregnant women
- People 65 years and older
- People who live with or care for others who are at higher risk
In addition to getting vaccinated, people should also do the following to avoid getting sick:
- Wash hands thoroughly and often
- Use hand sanitizers
- Stay away from sick people
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Clean commonly touched surfaces
- If you are sick, stay home and avoid contact with others
The flu vaccine is available at doctors’ offices, community clinics, and retail pharmacies. If you don’t have medical insurance, you can go to a County public health center to get vaccinated.