Hochul Declares State of ‘Disaster Emergency’ in New York Over Monkeypox

Zachary LeemanJul 30th, 2022, 10:03 am
 
Hochul Declares State of Emergency in New York

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) declared a state of “disaster emergency” this week in New York over monkeypox outbreaks.

“After reviewing the latest data on the monkeypox outbreak in New York State, I am declaring a State Disaster Emergency to strengthen our aggressive ongoing efforts to confront this outbreak,” Hochul said Friday. “More than one in four monkeypox cases in this country are in New York State, and we need to utilize every tool in our arsenal as we respond.”

The declaration comes as New York is set to receive approximately 110,000 doses of the monkeypox vaccine.

Speaking with NY1 anchor Rocco Vertuccio, New York Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett described monkeypox as an “imminent threat” and said the emergency declaration will make accessing aid easier.

“This declaration means that local health departments engaged in response and prevention activities will be able to access additional state reimbursement, after other federal and state funding sources are maximized, to protect all New Yorkers and ultimately limit the spread of monkeypox in our communities,” she said.

She also warned it is “disproportionately” affecting gay men.

“It’s presenting in different ways, it’s spreading in different ways and it’s disproportionately affecting the population of men who have sex with men all over the world,” Bassett warned.

Approximately 1,100 people in New York City have tested positive for monkeypox as of late July, health officials announced this week.

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Zachary Leeman

Zachary Leeman covered pop culture and politics at outlets such as Breitbart, LifeZette, BizPac Review, HollywoodinToto, and others. He is the author of the novel Nigh. He joined Mediaite in 2022.