California has followed New York City and declared a state of emergency due to the monkeypox outbreak.
Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday declared a monkeypox state of emergency for the state of California.
"WHEREAS as of August 1, 2022, there are more than 20,000 cases of monkeypox globally and more than 4,000 confirmed probable cases in the United States, with California experiencing nearly 800 confirmed probable cases in 27 local health jurisdictions," the proclamation stated.
In response, California wants to increase its supply of the monkeypox/smallpox vaccine.
Cont. from the Proclamation:
WHEREAS on July 19, 2022, the California Health and Human Services Agency and the California Department of Public Health sent a letter to the CDC requesting at least 600,000 - 800,000 additional doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine so that the State can expand eligibility to both confirmed and probable exposures, as well as to those individuals who are at high-risk of the virus as a pre-exposure prophylaxis; and
WHEREAS the State of California is leveraging the infrastructure testing, contact tracing, vaccine administration, and community engagement-built during the COVID-19 pandemic to respond to monkeypox outbreaks, while the 2022 Budget Act includes $300 million in ongoing General Fund support for state and local public health; and
WHEREAS due to the limited supply of the JYNNEOS vaccine from the federal government, the State is distributing its limited supply of the vaccine to local health jurisdictions based on a formula that considers current monkeypox cases and number of high-risk individuals; and
WHEREAS state and local public health authorities have been working to focus the currently available vaccine supply on individuals who are at high-risk for monkeypox and to target outreach by working proactively with local and community-based partners to develop resources, deploy vaccine clinics, and ensure appropriate messaging that is inclusive and targeted; and
WHEREAS it is critical to maximize the number of personnel who can administer vaccines within this outreach effort, and expanding the pool of eligible vaccinators will substantially aid current efforts and support anticipated further vaccination efforts upon receipt of additional doses from the federal government
To support CA's monkeypox vaccine efforts, we have declared a state of emergency. We're working to ensure those most at-risk are the focus for vaccination & treatment. We’ll continue to work with @WhiteHouse & stand with LGBTQ communities fighting stigmas.https://t.co/XtyE54QOou
— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) August 2, 2022
New York City Mayor Eric Adams declared a monkeypox state of emergency after Governor Hochul issued a state of emergency for the state of New York.
NYC currently makes up 25% of the US’s monkeypox cases.
“We are continuing to see the numbers rise,” Mayor Adams said in a statement.
“This order will bolster our existing efforts to educate, vaccinate, test, and treat as many New Yorkers as possible and ensure a whole-of-government response to this outbreak.”
As stated by the CDC, monkeypox is transmitted by symptomatic individuals through close contact with lesions, bodily fluids, or respiratory secretions and objects that have had contact with lesion crusts or bodily fluids, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed declared a monkeypox state of emergency after the city reported 261 cases of monkeypox.
BREAKING: San Francisco has declared a state of emergency over monkeypox.
Here’s what you should know: https://t.co/Qlt9h16i7x
— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) July 28, 2022
"The kink and fetish festival for gay men dubbed “Up Your Alley” still pressed on this weekend despite monkeypox spreading like wildfire in the gay community in San Francisco," The Gateway Pundit noted.
San Francisco’s annual Up Your Alley leather and fetish fair is expected to go on this weekend despite widespread concerns about the spread of monkeypox. https://t.co/hdWFnwos2i
— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) July 30, 2022
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