6 BOCNEWS.com JULY 2019 "And in that same hour he cured many of their infir- mities and plagues, and of evil sprits: and unto many that were blind He gave sight." — Luke 7:21 Few medical advances have been as dramatic and as beneficial as vaccinations for certain infec- tious diseases. This treatment has been, we can say, has been a godsend. At one time, certain types of infections could be looked upon with great dread and there was little that medical science had to offer. This included such diseases as smallpox, and polio which produced death and much suffering and could cause only dread, and little in the way of effec- tive treatment. Smallpox was an airborne disease contracted by coughing, sneezing, and contact with bodily fluids and these modes of contact spread the virus. The virus can disrupt the immune system, and cause a generalized skin eruption. Smallpox was declared eradicated worldwide by vaccination in the 1980's and exists only in highly secure research and isolated laboratories. We do not have to vaccinate against this disease now, but we have in the past leading to the eradication of this disease. Polio is transmitted through contaminated water, food or contact with an infected person. There is a virus which trans- mits polio. It is preventable by vaccination. Polio can cause paralysis, and muscle wast- ing. Today, despite a worldwide effort to wipe out polio, polio- virus may affect children and adults in parts of Asia and Africa. There are other diseases that can cause in some people severe illness: these are diph- theria, measles, and rubella. Diphtheria is caused by a bac- terium that causes severe sore throat and barky cough. We do have an effective vaccination against this. Measles spreads easily, is easily detectable by lab testing and causes a rash. It can also cause encephalitis (brain inflam- mation), and pneumonia. Some people do not have their children immunized on religious grounds. Measles still kills more than 100,000 people a year, mostly children under five according to the World Health Organization ,so it is not a disease without consequences. There is an effective vaccine against measles. Rubella is preventable by vaccine. It is also called "German measles". In rare cases, rubella can cause brain infection and bleeding problems. It is most dangerous for a pregnant woman's developing baby as it can cause a miscarriage or birth defects. Mumps is a respiratory disease caused by the paramyxovirus. Like many other viruses, it spreads via contact with saliva. Prior to the advent of the mumps vaccine, roughly 186,000 people in the US contracted the virus every year. A person who catches the mumps develops painful, swol- len salivary glands. Swelling in the jaw area makes eating difficult, which in turn causes patients to feel even weaker. Mumps generally isn't as deadly, but some patients suf- fer from lifelong complications like hearing loss. Approximately 20% to 30% of young males who contract the disease are at risk of developing swollen tes- tes, which led to decreased sen- sitivity and fertility problems. Mumps cases in the US declined by 99% after the intro- duction of the vaccine in 1967, and there are now only a few hundred cases per year. On the horizon, there are other diseases that may be amenable to treatment by vac- cines. These include AIDS, TB and the Ebola infection. These infections continue to be daunting challenges. There may be antibiotics and other medication to treat these afflictions, but at this point in time they remain daunting challenges. One can only hope for progress. In the meantime, medical science contin- ues to battle these illnesses. For the maladies that cause challenges to our population here in the US, as well as abroad, the struggle continues. I would advise anyone to have a primary care doctor, obstetrician, pediatrician, or as needed an infectious disease provider as required to work with to get informed about what is needed to stay healthy and keep your family healthy in the face of the challenges we may face. May God bless you and empower you to do this. The Value of Vaccines Dr. Conner By Byron E. Conner, M.D. HEALTH Mumps cases in the US declined by 99% after the introduction of the vaccine in 1967, and there are now only a few hundred cases per year. The Mayoral Runoff DENVER - Former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, who served as the city's first African American mayor from 1991-2003, reflects on the recent mayoral runoff and the future of the Mile High City. Below are his suggested 10 priorities for Denver elected officials. "The nineteenth century was the century of empires, the twentieth that of nation-states, and the twenty-first century is that of cities." Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb at U.S. Conference of Mayors in 1999 While campaigning for mayor in 1991, I was often asked the ques- tion if I wanted Denver to look like San Francisco, or Chicago, or Santa Fe? But before they could finish that thought, I answered: "I have never heard who Michael Jordan wants to be like, and I want people to say that they wish their city was like Denver and the people of Denver would know they lived in a special place." In July, our mayor enters his third term and a new council takes their oath. As I drive around Denver or walk our parks, I see the unexpected trans- formation of our city - some good, some bad - and here are my thoughts for our elected officials. One, we must tackle the issue of poverty, which has led to other issues, including homelessness. Two, we must manage growth and not let growth manage us. Some may say this should have been done sev- eral years ago, but better late than never. Three, work harder to protect our historic preservation and protect our western heritage. For example, don’t tear down Larimer Square. This area is a unique space and doesn't need to be changed for the sake of change. Four, get back to listening to our neighborhood organizations. Their opinions should be a priority, not an after thought. Five, preserve and promote our architectural design, and don’t mold us into neighborhoods of Chicago or New York. We want grass in front of condo buildings. Walking out a door onto the sidewalk with no greenery is not Denver. Six, protect our parks and open space. Seven, repeat with me: Protect our parks and open space. Eight, expand Denver Health Medical Center because it is our medical safety net and a national model for health care. Nine, let me focus on a few issues that cover basic city services. First, revise the concession program at Denver International Airport to 10-year leases, and build minority and women business opportunities, which means the large corporations have to be held accountable. My administra- tion was the first to open the airport concessions to local small business, women and minority owned busi- nesses. This can't just be a policy on paper but enforced to include qualify- ing businesses. Second, do not charge Denver resi- dents for trash collection, and a new fee for recycling is a backward way to go about it. Internationally, China and India no longer will take our recycled products. City employees are the glue that hold the city together. They should get a pay raise. Lastly, refocus on pedestrian safety and give tickets to drivers who don't stop for pedestrians in the right of way, and ticket pedestrians that jaywalk. Our streets have become danger zones where everything goes. A few tickets will help remind drivers and pedes- trian about basic safety laws. Ten, our elected officials need to be bold. Make decisions, even the unpop- ular ones, because that's your job. We all want to be able to say we love Denver because it is unique. Don't let us turn into San Francisco or Chicago, or any other city. As I often said as mayor, "That's not the way we do things in Denver." Wellington Webb We must manage growth and not let growth manage us. POLITICS