California S Governor Has Declared A Monkeypox Emergency

Gov. 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,” Newsom said in a statement announcing his announcement.
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.
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.  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.
Newsom’s proclamation allows emergency medical personnel to administer federally approved monkeypox vaccines.
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.
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 of people who stood in line at times to receive the monkeypox vaccine at Zuckerberg General Hospital in San Francisco on Monday after the clinic was forced to close last week because it did not receive enough doses.
“It’s awful. Like this is a vaccine that’s been around for a long time. 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,” he said Tran.
“I think the science shows that protection is greatly improved with the vaccine.  So that’s why I do it.  And honestly I don’t want the damage to 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.
Associated Press videographer Terry Chea contributed from San Francisco.

title: “California S Governor Has Declared A Monkeypox Emergency " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-15” author: “Stephen Mcdonald”

Gov. Gavin Newsom said the statement will help California coordinate a government response, seek more vaccines and lead outreach and education efforts about where people can get treatment and vaccinations. “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,” Newsom said in a statement announcing his announcement. Nearly 800 cases of monkeypox have been reported in California, according to state public health officials. 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.” 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. 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. Newsom’s proclamation allows emergency medical personnel to administer federally approved monkeypox vaccines. 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. He said the country’s most populous county must use all available resources to speed up the distribution of vaccines and help those infected. 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. Critics said the long wait for test results delayed treatment options. In San Francisco, Peter Tran was among hundreds of people who stood in line at times to receive the monkeypox vaccine at Zuckerberg General Hospital in San Francisco on Monday after the clinic was forced to close last week because it did not receive enough doses. “It’s awful. Like this is a vaccine that’s been around for a long time. 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,” he said Tran. “I think the science shows that protection is greatly improved with the vaccine. So that’s why I do it. And honestly I don’t want the damage on my body. I heard the lesions are painful and leave scars. So I think that’s another incentive to go out and get it.” Before making their own emergency declaration last week, San Francisco city officials were criticized for not responding quickly enough to the outbreak. They, in turn, blamed the federal government for failing to deliver enough vaccines. The city received about 4,000 doses on Friday, allowing it to resume vaccinations 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. The World Health Organization has declared the monkeypox outbreak in more than 70 countries a global emergency.

Associated Press videographer Terry Chea contributed from San Francisco.

title: “California S Governor Has Declared A Monkeypox Emergency " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-10” author: “Lewis Steward”

Gov. 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,” Newsom said in a statement announcing his announcement.
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.
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.  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.
Newsom’s proclamation allows emergency medical personnel to administer federally approved monkeypox vaccines.
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.
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 of people who stood in line at times to receive the monkeypox vaccine at Zuckerberg General Hospital in San Francisco on Monday after the clinic was forced to close last week because it did not receive enough doses.
“It’s awful. Like this is a vaccine that’s been around for a long time. 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,” he said Tran.
“I think the science shows that protection is greatly improved with the vaccine.  So that’s why I do it.  And honestly I don’t want the damage to 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.
Associated Press videographer Terry Chea contributed from San Francisco.