Gavin Newsom said the declaration will help the state coordinate a government response, seek more vaccines and lead outreach and education efforts about where people can get treatment and vaccines. “We will continue to work with the federal government to secure more vaccines, raise awareness about risk reduction, and stand with the LGBTQ community fighting stigma,” the Democratic governor said in a statement. Monkeypox virus is spread through prolonged and close skin-to-skin contact, which can include hugging, cuddling, and kissing, as well as sharing bedding, towels, and clothing. The people who have gotten sick so far have mostly been men who have sex with men, although health officials note that the virus can infect anyone. “Public health officials are clear: stigma is unacceptable and counterproductive to public health,” Michelle Gibbons, executive director of the California Health Executives Association, said in a statement. “The fact is that monkeypox is transmitted primarily by skin-to-skin contact and sharing items such as bedding or towels, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.” WATCHES | Smallpox cases are on the rise in Canada:
Monkeypox cases continue to rise in Canada
As cases of monkeypox climb in Canada, there are growing concerns that the vaccine is not widely available and time may be running out to contain the spread. The type of monkeypox virus found in this outbreak is rarely fatal, and people usually recover within weeks. But the lesions and blisters caused by the virus are painful and can prevent swallowing or bowel movements if they are in the throat or anus. The statement in California followed a similar statement in New York state on Saturday and in San Francisco on Thursday. But Newsom’s administration had said as recently as Friday that it was too early for such a statement. After pressing Newsom to make such a statement, Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco applauded the governor’s decision. “The monkeypox outbreak is an emergency and we need to use every tool we have to control it,” Wiener said.
He wants more vaccines
On July 23, the said the WHO monkeypox one “public health emergency of international concernDoctors fear the same pattern will repeat itself as Canada, the US and European countries rush to vaccinate at-risk populations. They use a vaccine originally made for smallpox, which has been eradicated. In Canada, it’s called Imvamune, and small amounts were stockpiled years ago in case smallpox ever returned. Imvamune is also approved to vaccinate people against monkeypox. Newsom’s proclamation allows emergency medical personnel to administer federally approved monkeypox vaccines. A person is given a monkeypox vaccine at an outdoor clinic in Montreal on July 23. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press) This is similar to a recent law allowing pharmacists to administer vaccines, the Newsom administration said. He said the state’s response is based on steps developed during the coronavirus pandemic to set up vaccination clinics and ensure outreach to vulnerable populations in collaboration with local and community organizations. California has received more than 61,000 doses of vaccine and distributed more than 25,000 doses. “We have no time to waste,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement. Barger said the nation’s most populous county must use all available resources to speed up the distribution of vaccines and help those infected. WATCHES | This American came to Canada for the smallpox vaccine:
To make the smallpox vaccine, this American came to Canada
Seattle, Washington resident Justin Moore trucked across the border into British Columbia with several friends to get vaccinated against monkeypox, which he says he couldn’t take home. He described the Canadian experience as “uplifting.” Newsom’s office said Los Angeles County has received a separate allocation of vaccine. As of last week, the state had expanded its testing capacity to process more than 1,000 tests a week. In San Francisco, Peter Tran was among hundreds who queued for hours to receive the monkeypox vaccine at Zuckerberg General Hospital in San Francisco on Monday. The clinic was forced to close last week because it did not receive enough doses. WATCHES | Concerns about monkeypox public health messages:
Concerns about public health messages about monkeypox
As cases of monkeypox spread around the world, overwhelmingly among men who have sex with men, there is growing concern that public health messages aimed at this community have missed the mark. “It’s horrible. Like this is a vaccine that’s been around for so long. And like, it’s not even a deadly disease. It’s harder to spread than COVID. But the availability of vaccines in this nation is absolutely horrible .” Tran said. “I think the science shows that protection is greatly improved with the vaccine. That’s why I’m doing it. And I honestly don’t want the damage in my body.” The city received about 4,000 doses Friday and hopes to administer them by the middle of the week, said Dr. Lukejohn Day, chief medical officer at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. The city had 305 cases as of Monday, he said.
