S3 E8: Monkeypox in California: A Personal Story and Public Health Perspective

Stephan Ferris, a Bay Area activist lawyer, received one of the first 40 reported diagnoses of Monkeypox after attending a Pride celebration in San Francisco, California. Here, Ferris sits down with host, Tammy Kremer, and Dr. Akanksha Vaidya, a clinical fellow responding to the health crisis, to share his experience and discuss the need for improving treatment accessibility and provider education concerning a Monkeypox diagnosis.  

This is a follow-up to S3 E3: Monkeypox, What's The Hype? with Dr. Ina Park at a very different stage of the spread of monkeypox. With the USA and WHO declaring this a public health emergency, Ferris and Dr. Vaidya use their respective lenses to reflect on the representation of this disease in the media, transmission, and the stigma associated with those who receive a diagnosis. As commercial labs begin to provide greater testing capacity, the group discusses improving messaging about limited vaccine supply and other treatment options for groups most vulnerable and individuals experiencing moderate symptoms.  

Download the transcript of this episode.

Resources: 

Stephan Ferris's Website

Reading is Fundamental Podcast 

CDPH About Monkeypox and California Data 

CDPH Monkeypox Clinical Assist Evaluation Tool 

CDC Monitor Monkeypox Exposure 

CDC Monkeypox Updates and Topics

"What You Need To Know About Monkeypox" 

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