Information about the monkeypox virus has been going on since the outbreak in May and mainly revolves around preventing its spread, says Paul Zantkuil of Soa Aids Nederland. But during the Pride it will mainly be about that: “There is still plenty to tell. And some people are very concerned. We want to give them clarity. And standing alone at Canal Parade poses no risk.” Moreover, it is not a gay problem, he emphasizes.
Close contact
Because, Zantkuil explains, the virus does not spread if you touch each other briefly while ordering a drink or partying on the dance floor. To contract it, you must have prolonged, intense skin-to-skin contact. The virus can also jump through kissing and cuddling.
It is true that Soa Aids Nederland receives many questions about the virus, by telephone and the website. “And that makes sense; it is a new virus. And different from corona. If you know how to run a risk and that you have to avoid intensive skin-to-skin contact, you can just party at the Pride,” says Zantkuil.
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