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The Newest Parenting Trend: Chicken Pox Lollipops?
November 8th, 2011
Photography from iStockphoto.com
This week, some interesting offers started popping up in a Facebook group called “Find a Pox Party in Your Area”—including some boxes of freshly licked chicken pox lollipops for only $50.
Yes, you read that correctly. Chicken pox lollipops.
A step up from the chicken pox parties our parents used to have, these pops have been licked by an infected child and are being shipped out to hopeful parents who want their own children to be exposed to the virus.
Jerry Martin, U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, was shocked to learn that parents were turning to social media to expose their children to chicken pox. He tells The Associated Press, “Can you imagine getting a package in the mail from this complete stranger that you know from Facebook because you joined a group, and say ‘here, drink this purported spit from some other kid’?”
He goes on to say that not only is this method unsafe, but it’s also illegal. ”If you are engaged in this type of behavior, you’re not only potentially exposing innocent people to dangerous viruses and illnesses and diseases, you’re also exposing yourself potentially to federal criminal prosecution.”
Would you take your child to a chicken pox party? Would you ever order chicken pox lollipops?
Copyright © 2012 St. Joseph Media. All Rights Reserved.
Children die of chicken pox every day. Our pediatrician has had patients die of chicken pox and frustratingly told me how the deaths of these children could have prevented from a simple chicken pox vaccine. Children don’t need to suffer necessarily. And a child who contracts chicken pox has the risk of shingles in adulthood. What good is this to our children? I’m very happy that I vaccinated my children. I know they are safe from one unnecessary disease in their lifetime.