San Francisco’s mayor declared a state of emergency on Thursday because of the rising number of monkeypox cases, allowing officials to cut red tape and fight a public health crisis reminiscent of the AIDS epidemic that began to ravage the city in the 1980s.
“We desperately need vaccines to support the people of San Francisco,” said Mayor London Breed. The city pleaded with federal health officials for more help, she said, but it fell flat.
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The declaration, which takes effect Monday, was welcomed by gay advocates who have grown increasingly frustrated with what they called San Francisco’s weak response to the virus, which has so far mostly affected men who have sex with men, despite that anyone can get infected.
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“San Francisco has been at the forefront of public health responses to HIV and COVID-19, and we will be at the forefront when it comes to monkeypox,” said state Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat who represents the city. “We cannot and will not let the LGBTQ community wither.”
San Francisco Health Officer Dr. Susan Philip said the city is “an epicenter for the country. Thirty percent of all cases in California are in San Francisco.
The city has 261 cases, out of about 800 in California and 4,600 nationwide, according to the San Francisco Department of Public Health. A national vaccine shortage has resulted in people waiting hours in line for scarce doses, often only to be turned away when the shots run out.
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Members of the LGBTQ community expressed anger and frustration at a city hearing last week, saying they are relying on social media because the San Francisco Department of Public Health has not provided basic information about testing or vaccine availability.
Chief Rafael Mandelman blasted the department, saying it was unclear why it couldn’t have phone lines, especially after telling people to call those phone numbers for information, while the San Francisco AIDS Foundation was able to quickly staff an information hotline.
“It’s a bad look for San Francisco,” he said.
1:47 Monkeypox arrives in Atlantic Canada Monkeypox arrives in Atlantic Canada
Resident Tom Temprano said it was inexcusable that he learned at the meeting that his appointment for a second shot would not be honored. The city decided to prioritize first shots over second shots so more people could get some protection.
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San Francisco closed its main monkeypox vaccination clinic earlier this week after running out of doses, saying it had received only 7,800 doses of the 35,000 requested. Officials said they expected 4,200 doses.
Despite vaccine supply problems, federal officials said Thursday that the nation’s monkeypox outbreak could still be contained, amid concerns that the U.S. has missed a window to contain the virus.
The monkeypox virus is spread through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, which includes sex, kissing, breathing at close range and sharing bedding and clothing, the public health department said. Health officials are asking people who may be at risk to cover exposed skin when in crowds and to watch for symptoms such as fever, blisters and rashes.
Over the weekend, the World Health Organization declared the monkeypox outbreak in more than 70 countries a global emergency.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed plans a news conference later Thursday.
© 2022 The Canadian Press
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