Yesterday, the Biden administration declared monkeypox a public health emergency.
Even though monkeys are not indigenous to North America, the United States is the undisputed leader in monkeypox infections. Monkeys do not spread monkeypox, much like how chickens do not spread chickenpox. Infected humans spread monkeypox to other humans through close intimate contact.
According to the New York Times, 99% of those infected with monkeypox are men who have sexual intercourse with other men. Pride events that took place throughout the month of June acted as monkeypox superspreader events.
The good news is that monkeypox doesn’t seem to be deadly. The mortality rate appears to be very low. That’s not to suggest getting infected with monkeypox is not a big deal. Symptoms can include fever, chills, enlarged lymph nodes, muscle and body aches, and exhaustion. Then there are the painful blisters and lesions.
Anytime you can avoid painful blisters and lesions, try to do so.
Personally, I never want to contract a disease with the word “monkey” in it. I don’t like monkeys. I never have. Monkeys are creepy and they can be jerks. I try to avoid monkeys and people who have pet monkeys.
Ross Geller and I would never be friends.