New York City Declares State of Emergency – NBC New York

What you should know

• New York City declared a local state of emergency Monday in response to the growing monkeypox outbreak, and Mayor Eric Adams signed the latest in a series of executive orders as efforts to stem the tide intensify.
• New York City has reported 1,472 cases of monkeypox, a figure believed to undercount all cases in the Big Apple. and that represents 28% of the 5,189 national cases probably also not reported by the CDC.
• States of emergency essentially dramatically expand access to aid for a crisis; in this case, they allow New York to obtain more doses of monkeypox vaccine faster and seek additional state and federal assistance through funding, personnel, or other means.

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NEW YORK — New York City declared a local state of emergency Monday in response to the growing outbreak of monkeypox, and Mayor Eric Adams signed the latest in a series of executive orders as efforts to stop tide.

It shouldn’t be a surprise. As of Monday, New York City has reported 1,472 cases of monkeypox, a figure believed to undercount all Big Apple cases and to represent 28% of the 5,189 national cases likely also unreported by the CDC. .

“We continue to see the numbers rise. This order will bolster our existing efforts to educate, vaccinate, test and treat as many New Yorkers as possible and ensure a whole-of-government response to this outbreak,” Adams, a Democrat, said in part. “Together with federal, state and local officials, we will continue to respond with the urgency required to keep people safe, and this order is another tool to help us do that.”

The Health Department also launched a new monkeypox data page, tracking daily cases since the outbreak began in New York City in June and breaking down demographics by county, age, gender and other factors. For those wondering, Manhattan has the most cases of all boroughs (562), more than a third of the known total citywide, and only three cases identify as female. People aged 30 to 39 represent more than a third of the known total, although there seems to be more parity from a racial/ethnic perspective: just over a quarter are white, while a quarter are Latino and a fifth are black.

A citywide public health emergency for the still-spreading disease went into effect Saturday, a day after Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration issued state and public health emergency orders for monkeypox.

If that feels redundant, it isn’t.

By federal regulation, public health emergencies may be justified when a) a disease or disorder presents a critical threat to public health or b) a public health emergency exists, including significant outbreaks of infectious disease or bioterrorist attacks. They can be issued at the local, state and federal level. States of exception can also.

State-issued emergency orders supersede local ones, and federal supersedes state ones, but in the event of viable legal challenges or no superseding protections, local emergency orders allow municipalities like New York City to adapt. the threat more aggressively and in a more comprehensive way. comprehensive way.

States of emergency essentially dramatically expand access to aid for a crisis; in this case, they allow New York to obtain more doses of monkeypox vaccine faster and seek additional state and federal assistance through funding, personnel, or other means. They also allow governments to waive local laws and enact regulations necessary to curb the threat of monkeypox.

Public Health Emergency Orders are issued by health departments and allow governments to amend health code provisions to implement measures such as the COVID mandates still in place to slow viral spread. The source of the order, the Department of Health in front of the governor’s office, is vitally important from a legal perspective.

That’s why former Mayor Bill de Blasio insisted his citywide worker vaccine mandate would stick when the feds didn’t. There is a “legal right of the health commissioner to keep the people of this city safe,” de Blasio and his attorney said in December when he announced that mandate.

Declarations last during the emergency or for 90 days unless extended.

At the state level, Hochul’s emergency declaration also allows more health professionals to administer monkeypox vaccines. Groups like EMS, pharmacists and midwives, who are not normally allowed to administer vaccines, can do so to speed access, as was done with COVID early in the pandemic. It also facilitates resupply efforts.

Only three US states, Vermont, Wyoming, and Montana, have yet to report a case of monkeypox to the CDC. However, that does not mean that the disease is not spreading.

Last week, Dr. Anthony Fauci called the outbreak a “serious problem.” He said the White House was considering creating a COVID-like monkeypox coordinator role to streamline response, distribution and other outreach efforts.

How to prevent monkeypox

The New York State Department of Health has listed steps people should take to help prevent the spread of monkeypox:

• Ask your sexual partners if they have a rash or other symptoms consistent with monkeypox.
• Avoid skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a rash or other symptoms related to monkeypox.
• Contact a health care provider after exposure or symptoms, and check with your local county health department about vaccine eligibility.
• New Yorkers receiving the JYNNEOS vaccine should receive both doses, given four weeks apart, and remain vigilant until fully vaccinated, two weeks after the second dose.
• If you or your health care provider suspect you may have monkeypox, isolate yourself at home. If you can, stay in a separate area from other family members and pets.
• Follow reputable sources of health information, including NYSDOH, CDC, and your local county health department.

Experts bring recommendations to prevent monkeypox in our area. Luis Alejandro Medina with the information.

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