City Council LGBTQ Caucus calls for action from Health Dept. with Monkeypox bills
Brooklyn Councilmember Chi Osse (D-Brooklyn) says city government has a “closing window” to tackle outbreak
EDITORS’ NOTE: As of press time Aug. 12, there have been 472 cases of monkeypox virus in Brooklyn. As far as officials know, the monkeypox virus is transmitted via close contact through physical interaction with the skin and respiratory droplets. If you suspect you have symptoms of Monkeypox, contact a health care professional and isolate, wear a mask around those with whom you are in close contact. Monkeypox is spread primarily among men who have sex with men, but that could change.
This article was originally published on by THE CITY
Following a rocky rollout of monkeypox information and vaccines by the city health department earlier this summer, the City Council’s LGBTQ Caucus on Thursday will introduce legislation aimed at strengthening New York’s response to the global emergency.
Since early June, the city has been battling an outbreak that officials have said is disproportionately affecting men who have sex with men — with 99% of cases within that community, according to a July 18 health advisory from the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.