San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced a state of emergency Thursday over the growing number of monkeypox cases, allowing authorities to mobilize staff, cut red tape and shift resources to overcome a public health crisis reminiscent of to the AIDS epidemic that devastated the city.
The declaration, which takes effect Monday, has been welcomed by gay advocates, increasingly frustrated by what they say is San Francisco’s lackluster response to a virus that has so far primarily affected men who They have sex with other men, although anyone can become infected.
The city has 261 cases, out of about 800 in California and 4,600 nationwide, according to the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Nationwide vaccine shortages have caused people to line up for hours to receive scarce doses, often being turned away when vaccines run out.
“San Francisco is an epicenter for the country. 30% of all cases in California are in San Francisco, ”said Dr. Susan Philip, responsible for public health in the city.
The city closed its main monkeypox vaccination clinic a few days ago after running out of doses, saying it had only received 7,800 doses of the 35,000 requested.
“San Francisco has been at the forefront of public health responses to HIV and COVID-19, and we will be at the forefront when it comes to monkeypox,” said state Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat representing San Francisco. . “We cannot and will not leave the LGBTQ community abandoned.”
Breed was scheduled to give a news conference later Thursday.
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