Month: May 2022

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) confirmed on Thursday that nine cases of monkeypox has been identified across seven states. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a news briefing that the nine cases have been identified in Massachusetts, Florida, Utah, Washington, California, Virginia and New York.

Walensky said that while the nine cases “are within gay, bisexual men and other men who have sex with men,” she emphasized that “risk of exposure is not limited to any one particular group.” The United States also has two antiviral treatments that can be used for orthopox, the family of viruses that includes monkeypox. One of the vaccines, with the trade name of Jynneos, is approved for the prevention of monkeypox disease in adults 18 years of age and older.   The CDC has mobilized vaccine for monkeypox to states that have reported cases and plans to move the vaccine where it may be needed.  CDC officials have recommended the vaccination for people at highest risk due to direct contact with someone who has monkeypox. Said Walensky: “The US has the resources we need to help us respond to monkeypox in this country right now. We’ve been preparing for this type of outbreak for decades.”

Officials expect more monkeypox cases to pop up in the future.  Dr. Raj Panjabi, White House senior director for health security and biodefense, said at the press briefing that Americans “shouldn’t be surprised to see more cases reported in the U.S. in the upcoming days. It’s actually a sign that Americans are remaining vigilant, and healthcare providers and public health workers are doing their job.”

Monkeypox got its name from laboratory monkeys who scientists first discovered developed the pox-like disease in 1958. The first human case was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but other cases of the disease spread through infection outside of Africa, linked to international travel. The CDC notes that the virus spreads in humans from “large respiratory droplets,” or lesions on the skin, and signs and symptoms include a rash of lesions on the body, fever, headache, and muscle aches. Unlike smallpox, monkeypox also causes swollen lymph nodes. Illness from monkeypox typically lasts for 2-4 weeks.

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Shortly ahead of bipartisan talks on possible gun legislation, Democratic members of Congress joined anti-gun violence activists at a press conference and rally on Thursday at the Capitol in Washington D.C.

Students Demand Action activist Addie Hernandez said students “from California to Texas to Vermont” are walking out of classes Thursday to demand action on anti-gun violence legislation.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said Democrats are talking with Republicans in Congress in an effort to find common ground on gun legislation, saying: “Today we will be engaged in bipartisan conversations to try to find a path forward.”   Murphy said the talks will be facilitated by citizens who support action to curb gun violence.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn said to his GOP colleagues, “How is this acceptable? How are you not outraged? We’re outraged!”  Blumenthal added: “We know what can save lives. Universal background checks can save lives. Red flag statutes – taking away a firearm from someone who shows they are dangerous to others or themselves.”  Blumenthal said what the American people want is for NRA to stand for ‘Not Relevant Anymore’ in American politics, while Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass. added:  “The Republican Party is in a vise-like grip of the NRA. They do whatever the NRA tells them to do.”

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said Republicans need to have a change of heart on the issue of possible gun legislation. Said Klobuchar:  “If there isn’t a change in their heart we will vote in Congress and we will march all the way to the ballot box and vote.”

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