A cruise ship owned by the Church of Scientology had to be quarantined in St. Lucia after authorities confirmed that one crew member had measles.
Which means a Church that urges members to stop thinking critically and accept lies just fell victim to someone who didn’t have immunity to a preventable disease.
The ship is called Freewinds, and there are 300 people aboard.
The ship has been under quarantine since Monday morning, officials said.
“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,” according to a statement issued Wednesday by Dr. Merlene Fredericks-James, the island nation’s chief medical officer. “It is therefore likely that other persons on the boat may have been exposed.”
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For now, the ship is scheduled to leave St. Lucia at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, officials said.
According to Scientology watchdog Tony Ortega, it’s possible the Church’s beliefs played a role in this problem:
Scientology does not prevent its members from using western medicine. However, the church has a longstanding distaste for the American Medical Association, and Scientologists often pursue alternative therapies. Many Scientologists, we find, are anti-vaxxers, even though the Church of Scientology itself does not speak out against vaccines.
It’s unclear if the crew member belongs to the Church.
Obviously, the hope is that everyone on board is safe. But also, if you’re not vaccinated, what did you think was going to happen? All the more reason to make sure everyone has their shots.
Even Xenu won’t help them now.
(Image via Shutterstock. Thanks to Andrew for the link)