Hundreds Of NYC Gays Line Up Outside Clinic Offering Surprise Monkeypox Vaccines Ahead Of Pride Weekend
With no advanced notice or outreach NYC announced in the middle of the day that they’d vaccinate men who have sex with men against monkeypox. The appt website doesn’t work, but word is spreading online so people are coming to the Chelsea clinic. Maybe 150 here now & a 2 hour wait pic.twitter.com/dwWvs6iyl4
— Liam Stack (@liamstack) June 23, 2022
The clinic had to close down for the day due to overwhelming walk-in demand, but they’re taking appointments to get the jabs next week.
Monkeypox is spread through sex, bedding, towels, or skin (there is even data indicating that this new strain is airborne), and while anyone can become infected, the outbreak is growing mostly among gay men around the world. In the United States, there were 141 documented cases of monkeypox as of yesterday, which is nearly triple the number of cases (49) last week:
141 is only the number of reported cases, so there are obviously dozens if not hundreds more right now.
ADDED:
Other outlets are reporting that the number is up to 173 today:
The CDC reported 17 new monkeypox cases today, bringing U.S. total to 173
North Carolina reported its first case
— BNN 🇺🇸 Newsroom (@BNNUS) June 23, 2022
Matt Ford (an actor, writer, and really nice guy whom I’ve followed on Twitter for years) described what it’s been like for him over the last few days after testing positive for the virus. In short, as he says, it’s no joke:
I have monkeypox currently and this shit is absolutely no joke.
If you’re in New York and can get the vaccine, go do it.
— Matt Ford (@JMatthiasFord) June 23, 2022
Then those symptoms lessened and more spots appeared in various places on my body. I didn’t even notice some at first, but they’ve quickly become itchy and painful. (Particularly if on or near any sensitive areas.) A showed up on my face, as well.
— Matt Ford (@JMatthiasFord) June 23, 2022
All that to say: Get vaccinated for it if you can and be careful, especially New Yorkers with Pride this weekend.
And the government needs to pick up the pace on vaccines and testing. The slow response is pretty unacceptable. That’s all I got.
— Matt Ford (@JMatthiasFord) June 23, 2022
