Monkeypox a new worry for gay and bi men

[Rod Hagen]

I don't think I can make it to Montreal, but I will get vaccinated as soon as it's available here.  Congratulations, and damn you :-) , to those of you jabbed in Canada.  

Someone in this thread, who did read this morning's NYTimes article, said we should keep this in perspective because there aren't many MonkeyP cases.  If you read the article, then you know that the worry, which may look like hysteria, but isn't, is the serious concern that the disease will spiral out of control if we don't get a better handle on it now.

And so the comparisons to Covid are not that it is also wide spread, but that we are currently handling the MonkeyP outbreak as poorly as we handled Cov-19, and that's not good. Nobody's saying that it will ever be as "bad" as Covid, although who knows?, only that if we don't act now, it could get much much worse.  

Don't know if anyone linked to this article about an actor's experience:

https://www.losangelesblade.com/2022/07/01/weho-victim-of-monkeypox-this-sucks-and-you-dont-want-it/

Edited July 9, 2022 by Rod Hagen

[SirBillybob]

If there could just be a course correction and stop avoiding that the incidence pattern is largely confined to the MSM community and that is where the metrics mostly apply as well as how to conceptualize management. As such, the crudely equivalent rolling Canadian incidence within this population subset is consistent with the average rolling incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in Canada for the first 6 months for the broader general population Mar-Sept2020. Morbidity/mortality and speed of cumulative case incidence comparisons aside, there would have been hell to pay had there been dawdling in the serious pursuit of a viable and accessible vaccine for COVID at that time.

Edited July 9, 2022 by SirBillybob

[+ FrankR]

21 hours ago, Rod Hagen said:

I don't think I can make it to Montreal, but I will get vaccinated as soon as it's available here.  Congratulations, and damn you 🙂 , to those of you jabbed in Canada.  

Someone in this thread, who did read this morning's NYTimes article, said we should keep this in perspective because there aren't many MonkeyP cases.  If you read the article, then you know that the worry, which may look like hysteria, but isn't, is the serious concern that the disease will spiral out of control if we don't get a better handle on it now.

And so the comparisons to Covid are not that it is also wide spread, but that we are currently handling the MonkeyP outbreak as poorly as we handled Cov-19, and that's not good. Nobody's saying that it will ever be as "bad" as Covid, although who knows?, only that if we don't act now, it could get much much worse.  

Don't know if anyone linked to this article about an actor's experience:

https://www.losangelesblade.com/2022/07/01/weho-victim-of-monkeypox-this-sucks-and-you-dont-want-it/

I got vaxxed in NYC this morning - was lucky enough to get an appointment. Pretty smooth process - about 40 minutes including a mandatory 15 minutes wait time (thanks Warden, can I get out of jail now?). Feeling fine so far. But an afternoon nap may be in order. 😉 

Odd thing - they gave me a separate piece of paper, refused to fill in my vaccination card. I guess I will complete it myself since I have all the details. I figured it would be routine, but they looked a little surprised when I asked. 
 

Hope you get your turn soon!

Edited July 10, 2022 by FrankR

[SirBillybob]

8 minutes ago, FrankR said:

Odd thing - they gave me a separate piece of paper, refused to fill in my vaccination card. I guess I will complete it myself since I have all the details. I figured it would be routine, but they looked a little surprised when I asked. 

In Montreal I received a paper record, the standard, but the nurse accommodated my request to add, stamp, and sign the same info in my immunization booklet. I think you just ran up against policy rigidity, problem-solving paralysis in the face of nuance.

Edited July 9, 2022 by SirBillybob

[FewBricksShy]

I’m saying…

1. Be smart. Get educated. Don’t do stupid shit that is known to increase factors.

2. Take necessary precautions, such as getting vaxxed.

3. Accept there’s still some risk.

4. Don’t succumb to hysteria.

Monkeypox is not an imminent threat to humanity, especially if you follow the above. You don’t need to be a medical professional or scientist to know that. The pox viruses aren’t novel like COVID was. 

[FewBricksShy]

3 hours ago, Luv2play said:

The writer of the article was simply saying that the US is poorly prepared to deal with new pathogens or even old ones that surface in the US.

“The US is poorly prepared to deal with new pathogens or even old ones that surface in the US” – that is one thing. “The US is losing the fight” is click-baity. The article wasn’t simply saying “the US is poorly prepared to deal with new pathogens or even old ones that surface in the US.” It was also attempting, by means of emotionally charged language in the title and opening lines, to create a mood of unease. Now – we can say a certain level of unease is warranted in the face of poor disease management. But saying “the US is losing the fight” sets us up for an all-or-nothing-war mentality. And it raises the stakes to a level that, given what I’ve seen at least, doesn’t seem to justify such worry.

On an tangentially related note, are you suggesting that the word of high profile posters here in this forum are reason enough to shape my opinion on matters of health and preventive medicine? This is an escorting forum, not a medicine forum. People are getting vaccinated for monkeypox in the states with issues, but it is not necessary to go to Canada. That is an extreme measure. One that folks can happily resort to, but not necessary. You can get vaccinated in the United States. I plan to. I also don’t plan on having interactions that are high risk. But I’m aware there is still risk. Either way, none of that has any bearing on the relative profile level of posters on this escorting forum and what they have to say. Not to malign anyone’s status, but it doesn’t. 

[Luv2play]

3 hours ago, FewBricksShy said:

“The US is poorly prepared to deal with new pathogens or even old ones that surface in the US” – that is one thing. “The US is losing the fight” is click-baity. The article wasn’t simply saying “the US is poorly prepared to deal with new pathogens or even old ones that surface in the US.” It was also attempting, by means of emotionally charged language in the title and opening lines, to create a mood of unease. Now – we can say a certain level of unease is warranted in the face of poor disease management. But saying “the US is losing the fight” sets us up for an all-or-nothing-war mentality. And it raises the stakes to a level that, given what I’ve seen at least, doesn’t seem to justify such worry.

On an tangentially related note, are you suggesting that the word of high profile posters here in this forum are reason enough to shape my opinion on matters of health and preventive medicine? This is an escorting forum, not a medicine forum. People are getting vaccinated for monkeypox in the states with issues, but it is not necessary to go to Canada. That is an extreme measure. One that folks can happily resort to, but not necessary. You can get vaccinated in the United States. I plan to. I also don’t plan on having interactions that are high risk. But I’m aware there is still risk. Either way, none of that has any bearing on the relative profile level of posters on this escorting forum and what they have to say. Not to malign anyone’s status, but it doesn’t. 

Why don't you go get vaccinated and report back how easy it is to do so. I don't know where you live so it will be useful to know where you have to go to get the vaccination. I'm assuming you will want to do so as soon as possible if you have sex on a regular basis like most of us on this forum.

[MikeBiDude]

In Los Angeles County the vaccine is basically only “invitation only” to selected groups.

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/monkeypox/

[Luv2play]

13 minutes ago, MikeBiDude said:

In Los Angeles County the vaccine is basically only “invitation only” to selected groups.

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/monkeypox/

All the people I saw yesterday in Montreal getting vaccinated likely would not have qualified for the very narrow list of people eligible for a shot in LA. Los Angeles has a huge gay population and hundreds of male escorts catering to gay clientele. I would think those clients are concerned about contracting Monkeypox or if not should be. 

I was surprised somewhat yesterday when I contacted two providers, one a regular and the other a new one. Neither had had the shot yet. One said he had an appointment for next week.The other just said he will get around to it. Since no appointments are necessary and there is literally no waiting to get one and hundreds are being processed 7 days a week all day long, I found their dilatory approach lamentable.

[guy7777]

I'm probably going out tonight to enjoy myself & see if I can hook up.

I'm not vaccinated, so I'm a little worried, but not that much tbh

[FewBricksShy]

6 hours ago, FewBricksShy said:

“The US is poorly prepared to deal with new pathogens or even old ones that surface in the US” – that is one thing. “The US is losing the fight” is click-baity. The article wasn’t simply saying “the US is poorly prepared to deal with new pathogens or even old ones that surface in the US.” It was also attempting, by means of emotionally charged language in the title and opening lines, to create a mood of unease. Now – we can say a certain level of unease is warranted in the face of poor disease management. But saying “the US is losing the fight” sets us up for an all-or-nothing-war mentality. And it raises the stakes to a level that, given what I’ve seen at least, doesn’t seem to justify such worry.

On an tangentially related note, are you suggesting that the word of high profile posters here in this forum are reason enough to shape my opinion on matters of health and preventive medicine? This is an escorting forum, not a medicine forum. People are getting vaccinated for monkeypox in the states with issues, but it is not necessary to go to Canada. That is an extreme measure. One that folks can happily resort to, but not necessary. You can get vaccinated in the United States. I plan to. I also don’t plan on having interactions that are high risk. But I’m aware there is still risk. Either way, none of that has any bearing on the relative profile level of posters on this escorting forum and what they have to say. Not to malign anyone’s status, but it doesn’t. 

I will likely be vaccinated before my next sexual encounter. I’m not in any rush because I don’t plan on engaging in risky behavior, sexual or otherwise. The fact that guys are willing to risk the behavior despite the evidence is what is more upsetting to me than the response of the government. Just wait til the vaccine is more widely available – as we’re told it will be in the next few weeks. Are guys that desperate to get their dicks wet they’ll risk getting a unpleasant illness? Mind boggling…

[+ newatthis]

3 hours ago, Luv2play said:

...I was surprised somewhat yesterday when I contacted two providers, one a regular and the other a new one. Neither had had the shot yet. One said he had an appointment for next week.The other just said he will get around to it. Since no appointments are necessary and there is literally no waiting to get one and hundreds are being processed 7 days a week all day long, I found their dilatory approach lamentable.

Earlier in this thread I wrote about my experience getting vaccinated while visiting Montreal a couple of weeks ago.  @Luv2play's comment reminds me that later that day I saw a provider (guy in his early 20's) and mentioned that I had been vaccinated that morning.  So had he. 

[LookingAround]

The numbers are A LOT higher than those reported. They’re saying something like 180 in nyc. That’s ridiculous. I personally know three guys who have gotten it in the last week. One who is hooking up on Grindr now. 

[SirBillybob]

UK’s latest public health technical briefing puts doubling time at 2 weeks, with a high degree of modelling confidence, majority of cases in England and about 75% of those London. 1,500 cases early July from one-quarter-ish that count early June does not portend a “losing battle” UNLESS growth is expected at the rates heretofore observed. Early low cumulative numbers appear as minor skirmishes.

Month to month, though not necessarily a linear trajectory, unchecked transmission would yield 6,000; 24,000; 96,000 by early October, with likely incursions from GBMSM subgroup predominance into the broader community. If merely half of cases miss ascertainment, that early October amended figure suggests roughly 200,000 infections by that point. Granted, a levelling off could occur as it is unlikely that a few hundred thousand men fit the epidemiological profile worked up to date, but it remains to be seen what secondary transmission patterns will emerge with higher case accumulation. Anyway, that is but one fairly circumscribed geographic location and illustrative of spread potential.

Bavarian Nordic closed its facilities, not long before the current orthopox infection pattern, for a few months to upgrade, reno, etc. 

Labelling epidemiological warning bells and associated language descriptors/analogies as premature hysteria is misguided. The tone, if in fact worried alertness, of personal and collective response will have been unwarranted IF spread ceases. Only then would a current finger-pointing of hyped reactivity prove to be retrospectively on the mark. Absolute incidence measurement is not alone the key marker of situation gravity. ‘Exponentiality’ is a tricky phenomenon and cares little about where anyone sits on a continuum from overreaction to denialism. 

Edited July 10, 2022 by SirBillybob

[FewBricksShy]

32 minutes ago, LookingAround said:

I personally know three guys who have gotten it in the last week. One who is hooking up on Grindr now. 

What the actual fuck…So we’ll travel all the way to Montreal but we won’t stop fucking. Noted. 

[Luv2play]

41 minutes ago, FewBricksShy said:

What the actual fuck…So we’ll travel all the way to Montreal but we won’t stop fucking. Noted. 

Abstinence is NOT the answer to this public health threat. Taking steps to protect oneself and thereby the larger community is the way to go.

[FewBricksShy]

2 hours ago, Luv2play said:

Abstinence is NOT the answer to this public health threat. Taking steps to protect oneself and thereby the larger community is the way to go.

Abstinence is a step if you’re not protected. Until which time you can get vaccinated or the threat is decreased. It’s spreading because people aren’t abstaining despite not taking and steps to protect themselves or others. Is the need for sex that great that folks here will say to hell with safety and blare ahead? Can’t we wait until the vaccine is more widely available? There’s no difference between abstinence and social distancing and isolation because of COVID. 

[KeepItReal]

17 minutes ago, FewBricksShy said:

Abstinence is a step if you’re not protected. Until which time you can get vaccinated or the threat is decreased. It’s spreading because people aren’t abstaining despite not taking and steps to protect themselves or others. Is the need for sex that great that folks here will say to hell with safety and blare ahead? Can’t we wait until the vaccine is more widely available? There’s no difference between abstinence and social distancing and isolation because of COVID. 

Abstinence has never been the solution folks think it is - even in the short run as a "step" it is of limited value for some folks who have commitments.  And just because you are better informed than most about monkeypox, doesn't mean everyone is.  What we need is for the vaccine to become available to all and to get the word out to everyone in our community to get it so we can stop the spread.

 

[KeepItReal]

3 hours ago, FewBricksShy said:

What the actual fuck…So we’ll travel all the way to Montreal but we won’t stop fucking. Noted. 

Once you disengage your emotional response, stop cursing and start thinking you will realize that for sex workers it is not an option - they don't work, they don't make a living.  Just because you have the luxury, doesn't mean everyone has.   

[Monarchy79]

I am working on making an appointment to get the vaccine and wanted to know if anyone has gotten the vaccine and if so, we’re there any reactions to it. 

[+ FrankR]

4 minutes ago, Monarchy79 said:

I am working on making an appointment to get the vaccine and wanted to know if anyone has gotten the vaccine and if so, we’re there any reactions to it. 

I got mine yesterday - it's been more than 24 hours and I have not had any reaction, adverse or otherwise (no spider-senses yet!).  Arm is a little tender, just like when I get the flu shot.  Not stopping me from doing any of my planned Sunday activities.  The vaccine has been approved for years - I did some searching and asked my PCP about it before I made the appointment and was told it is safe and recommended.

[FewBricksShy]

14 minutes ago, KeepItReal said:

Once you disengage your emotional response, stop cursing and start thinking you will realize that for sex workers it is not an option - they don't work, they don't make a living.  Just because you have the luxury, doesn't mean everyone has.   

Actually…I think it was @MscleLovrwho pointed out there are jobs for the taking, in both the USA and UK. Perhaps not ones where you can make multiple thousands of dollars for a few hours of work, but there are plenty of jobs out there available for those who want them. The question is whether sex workers would want to take on a different kind of work. 

[Monarchy79]

47 minutes ago, FrankR said:

I got mine yesterday - it's been more than 24 hours and I have not had any reaction, adverse or otherwise (no spider-senses yet!).  Arm is a little tender, just like when I get the flu shot.  Not stopping me from doing any of my planned Sunday activities.  The vaccine has been approved for years - I did some searching and asked my PCP about it before I made the appointment and was told it is safe and recommended.

Thanks!!!

 

I hope to get mine this coming week ☺️👍🏾

[+ newatthis]

3 hours ago, Monarchy79 said:

I am working on making an appointment to get the vaccine and wanted to know if anyone has gotten the vaccine and if so, we’re there any reactions to it. 

I had no reaction to the vaccination.  If I worked hard, I could locate a small subcutaneous lump where on my arm where I got the vaccine and now, 18 days later, even that is gone.

[Luv2play]

It's been 3 days now for me and no reaction. When I took the small bandaid off a day later there was a small red mark the size of a pea but no tenderness in the arm, unlike the covid booster I got a month ago.