The rapid spread of Monkeypox has caused San Fransisco to declare a public health emergency. On Thursday, San Francisco and New York began getting the word out about the monkeypox outbreak as federal officials continue to ponder taking action and sounding out an alarm about the crisis.
To battle the disease, San Francisco became a trendsetter and leader when the city declared a public health emergency on monkeypox to boost efforts to combat the outbreak while dealing with the high demand for the vaccine.
In a statement, Mayor London Breed’s office said that the declaration, which will begin on Monday, “is a legal action that allows city departments to mobilize and coordinate more effectively,” reported CNN health. State and federal governments will be allowed to handle future reimbursements under the declaration.
“We need to be prepared, and this declaration will allow us to serve the city better,” Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax said. “Our COVID-19 response has taught us that it is imperative that we mobilize city resources. The declaration helps us ensure we have all the tools available to augment our outreach, testing, and treatment, especially to the LGBTQ+ who remain at highest risk for Monkeypox.”
San Francisco, public health officer Dr. Susan Philip said: “We have always been on the forefront of advocacy and action for LGBTQ+ health, and I’m issuing this declaration to reaffirm our commitment to the wellbeing of these communities and to allow us to move more quickly to obtain and distribute the resources needed to help those disproportionately impacted.”
261 cases of monkeypox were confirmed in the city by The San Francisco Department of Public Health. California has a total of 799 cases.
As the virus spread rapidly in New York, state Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett declared it an immediate public health threat, citing its proven track record.