Monkeypox might not be the doomsday pandemic scenario some have feared.
Last week, we reported on Matt Ford documenting his experience with Monkeypox on TikTok. His initial video included information on his exposure, symptoms, and best practices to quarantining:
@jmatthiasford sry the sound was too appropriate #monkeypox #monkeypoxvirus #monkeypoxoutbreak #monkeypoxvaccine #CDC #WHO #greenscreen #fyp #fypシ ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
Ford has now issued a much-anticipated update on his condition:
@jmatthiasford Reply to @rbn___ ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
Barring sudden calamity, it seems he should be all well and healed up soon!
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Related: Monkeypox: International Mr Leather event in Chicago linked to cases
After the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been easy for some to fall into fearing the worst when hearing a new outbreak is on the rise — and with this illness currently being spread primarily among queer men, the stigma and reaction are amplified even more so in light of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
But, if leading experts and Ford’s testimony are anything to go by, this scare shouldn’t send anyone running for the hills.
Ford compiled something of a masterdoc for monkeypox patients pulled from research and personal anecdotal evidence:
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Related: 6 gay/bi men die of meningococcal disease, CDC urges vaccination
As we previously reported, monkeypox is usually a mild, self-limiting illness, and most people will recover within weeks (though the deadliest variant of the virus can be fatal for up to one in ten of those infected).
The form of the virus currently circulating is believed to be milder, with a fatality rate of less than 1 percent.
Anyone who feels unwell and notices an unusual rash is advised to seek medical help.
In addition to basic precautions people can take in limiting exposure and monitoring symptoms, there are also a limited number of monkeypox vaccines available in some major cities — notably New York, LA, and DC — with larger supplies on the way.
For more information on Ford’s story, the unofficial monkeypox spokesman recently spoke to Inside Edition:
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winemaker
Granted monkeypox is serious, why does this guy feel the need to share medical information ( that most people keep between themselves and their doctors) with the world? Really issues like this are best kept to yourself as it’s nobody’s damned business especially your employer as it could be used against you in the future. Remember when people with AIDS got fired from their jobs and thrown out of their homes? This was around 40years ago yet not so long ago, It’s like the almost daily updates on the drama surrounding the kardashian’s ( of which most people don’t give a rats ass other than have a few laughs at best), the rest of the world really doesn’t need to know.
Kangol2
He appears, at least to me, to be trying to warn and educate others about his condition and the dangers of monkeypox. To me that is a good thing. Many people are still unaware of monkeypox and its effects, so his videos provide insight into what it is, how it’s affecting him and how it might affect others who contract it.
storm45701
It was his CHOICE to discuss his situation with the world. It’s very important for stories like this to be told to reduce misinformation, stigma, and cruelty to those inflicted. Hopefully his candor will open eyes and hearts. I fail to see the need to criticize.
RandomGuy
Well, When you spend all your free time in bathhouses and sex clubs, bad things might happen to you.
Den
God, always the idiot, aren’t you.
You have no idea where this guy spends his free time, but seem unable to separate your infantile imagination from reality.
You wing nuts are sad, and barely civilized.
1898
“Monkeypox might not be the doomsday pandemic scenario some have feared.”
seriously? you came to that conclusion after watching one tik tok video?
“The form of the virus currently circulating is believed to be milder, with a fatality rate of less than 1 percent.”
covid also has a fatality rate of less than 1%… and it has killed over 1 million people in the US
y’all need to stick to celebrity gossip and leave medical stuff to the folks who are qualified to write about it