Monkeypox protest san Francisco

San Francisco (KRON) – At least one LGBTQ group is planning a demonstration outside the US Department of Health and Social Welfare’s San Francisco office calling on the Biden administration to “strengthen the supply and distribution of monkeypox vaccine.”

Alice B. Toclas LGBTQ Democratic Club is planning a protest at 907th Avenue in the San Francisco Federal Building at noon on Monday.

The move came after local elected officials, gay community leaders, and public health advocates blew up the federal government to respond to the outbreak, as of early Thursday in San Francisco. There are 68 confirmed cases in.

Rafael Mandelman, the director of District 8 representing the Castro district on the city’s supervisory board, will be 200 out of an estimated 5.9 million Americans who are gay and bisexual men and transgender people by the end of 2023. He said the government’s goal of vaccination of all was “abnormal.” Earlier this week, he suggested that the federal government would be more sensitive if the infection had not previously had a major impact on men having sex with men.

Yesterday, the San Francisco Public Health Service said it There is a shortage of vaccines and I don’t know when more will be given.

On July 21, the Government Audit and Oversight Committee of the Supervisory Board will hold a hearing on the city’s response to the virus. Opposing monkeypox, coordinating with the California Public Health Service and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ” The hearing was requested by Mandelman.

Similarities, difference between monkeypox and COVID, AIDS reaction

Community leaders have evoked the slow federal response of the past to new health crises such as COVID-19 and AIDS. For example, on the board of directors, Matt Dorsey, who represents the South of the Market District and is an HIV-positive District 6 supervisor, said on Tuesday: [Black, indigenous and people of color] And HIV-positive residents are well aware of the effects of misguided, loose, or slow-moving public health reactions. Born from COVID, we have all the tools needed for a successful rapid and targeted response to reduce the spread of the monkeypox virus. “

Gary McCoy, co-chair of the Alice Club, said that between the current outbreak of monkeypox and the epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, both the pace of federal response and the politicization and weaponization of the virus. He said there were differences and similarities in terms of points.

“The difference here is that we have a vaccine for prevention and the infrastructure to get rid of it,” McCoy said. “There is no need to reinvent the wheel.”

In a statement via Facebook that announced the protest, Alice Club raised another similarity. It is to stigmatize the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities because of fear and prejudice.

“Monkeypox isn’t just for our LGBTQ + community, but we’re already blamed for a new crisis,” the statement said. “We are told to limit contact with people or simply wear condoms. Like skin-to-skin contact, we are not educated that * anyone * can send MPs. . “

When asked about the similarities between AIDS and Monkey Pox, longtime LGBTQ rights and AIDS activist Cleve Jones, who founded AIDS Memory Alklit to commemorate those lost in the 1980s, told KRON4: Told to. , But yeah — they [the federal government] It’s a shame that we’re in this position, which has been scarce so far and has to wait a considerable amount of time for the vaccine. “

On the one hand, the outbreak of monkeypox is different from the early AIDS epidemic. [and] It’s more casually transmitted, “Jones said. On the other hand, “Unfortunately, the similarity is that they are tagged as” gay illness. ” This will not be useful in the future. The important difference, and the good thing, is that we know a lot about this disease, we know its history, and we are not starting from scratch. “

Mayor of San Francisco is mostly mother at the time of outbreak

Mandelman, Dorsey, and State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) have also made the most outspoken statements about the outbreak, and although they are homosexual, straight politicians are almost always completely silent. not.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), who represents most cities in the US House of Representatives, issued a long “What You Need to Know” email on July 8.

“San Franciscan is too familiar with the fear and turmoil of new illnesses that disproportionately affect the LGBTQ community,” Pelosi said. “On behalf of Congress, I am fighting to strengthen monkeypox testing and secure more resources to expand the capacity of the vaccine, which makes it easy and quick for anyone qualified. You can get an injection. “

Alice Club, Tweet On Wednesday, he tagged Mayor of San Francisco London Breed and members of the Supervisory Board, saying, “Silence from our allies is not helping our community.” “Where are you?” Asks the tweet. Most of the tagged board members responded, but Breed did not.

Bleed’s office has also not answered multiple questions from KRON4 as to whether she will issue a public statement about cities lacking the monkeypox vaccine.Also included on the office website There is no news release regarding the outbreak.. (she twitter The account contains three retweets from the public health department within the past week regarding the crisis, July 7, July 8, and July 13. )

President Joe Biden made a public speech about the outbreak in May, saying, “We are working hard to understand what we are doing and which vaccines are available, if any. “. The White House has not responded to requests for comment asking when he will deal with it again.

What are the symptoms of monkeypox?

Symptoms of monkeypox include the onset of flu-like symptoms and the characteristic rashes and sores that look like acne and blisters.

These raised flat red spots can be anywhere on the body, but they are most likely in the genital or rectal area, or in the fingers, mouth, or eyes. The spots become ridges that break and become scabs. Itching may occur, but it is not always the case.

In addition, some people suffer from only one or some of these symptoms. You may have a fever but no rash. Alternatively, these symptoms can occur consecutively rather than simultaneously.

What is a monkeypox vaccine?

Vaccination within 14 days of exposure can prevent or reduce the risk of illness, as the incubation period can be several weeks. Health care providers should test for other infections with similar symptoms, such as syphilis. Testing for monkeypox has been confirmed in specialized laboratories. The monkeypox virus belongs to the orthopoxvirus family alongside smallpox, and routine immunization in the United States ended in 1972 after the disease was declared eradicated here. The smallpox vaccine is at least 85% effective against monkeypox, but its effectiveness diminishes over time.

Side effects of the Jynneos vaccine include redness, pain, swelling, muscle aches, headaches, malaise, and nausea at the injection site.

KRONON is doing live streaming

Who gets infected with monkeypox?

“Many cases occur within a network of gay, bisexual, transgender, and men who have sex with men,” said Noel Sanchez, a spokesperson for the San Francisco Public Health Department.

“SFDPH takes monkeypox seriously,” Sanchez said. “Most of the time, it resolves spontaneously without pills or treatment, but monkeypox can be serious. We want to prevent the virus from spreading to more people and potentially endemic. We strive to contain outbreaks and reduce infections. To that end, we are educating and supporting the most endemic communities. Tracking cases of monkeypox; risks due to exposure. Distribute and administer the virus as a precautionary measure to people with high levels of disease, especially to support testing and clinical guidance to providers. “

Sanchez advises people to:

• Cover exposed skin in the crowd
• Avoid begging and sharing clothes
• Discuss health, rashes and beaches with close physical and sexual stakeholders
• Pay attention to the symptoms