Kenna Morton's Journal, 22 May 22

I heard specialists argue that the disease was not serious enough to warrant rolling out the small pox vaccine again. This disease has been around for quite awhile. I think people are just reacting a bit strange since Covid.  

Yes heard on the news if you’ve had a small pox vaccination your ok. I had four before it took when I was six. Hope it’s still in me. 

I also heard it seems to be sexually transmitted only. 

I was given the smallpox vaccine as a baby, but I know they discontinued routinely doing it in my city the following year (1972), because my brother didn't get it (1973). The government continues to manufacture the vaccine in case of biological warfare. Monkeypox shows up on the palms, so it stands out if you're infected, and I suspect no one will want to shake your hand!  

Caramel— that is not correct 

"just scroll on" lol I love the no BS attitude 

I've been hearing about it on the news as well. They've said it's transmitted through personal contact so I won't be hugging anyone or shaking hands.  

I don't sleep with strangers and I'm not a touchy feely person so it's probably a low risk but I'll be even more diligent about not touching strangers these days.  

I must admit I am always alarmed to see anything new crop up here. Especially since covid.  

It's funny (not funny) how the term "anti-vaxxer" has changed in its use over the last 2 years. Before the pandemic, this term was used to describe parents who did not want to have the "normal" or required vaccines administered to their children for various reasons. Religious or fear of autism were the most common reasons for foregoing vaccines for the children. Now this term is a derogatory name used to describe anyone who doesn't agree that the COVID vaccine is .... well whatever.... don't want it; don't believe it was tested enough; won't allow it for the children; whatever the thought is..... you are now an "anti-vaxxer". Even if all of that person's required vaccines were administered at the appropriate time, even if all of their children received all of their vaccines at the appropriate time...... "anti-vaxxer" ...... 

Thanks, Kenna and all. I hope nobody will take these new diseases lightly anymore. 

I won’t weigh in on vaccination discussion, but as a person who worked as a food safety educator/auditor, please for the love of God, wash your hands. As in, 5 times a day. Does wonders in reducing disease transmission. 

And dry them completely before you touch anything. Especially doorknobs. 

When I was a child I had two small pox vaccines, which neither took. Apparently the doctor told my mother that I was not going to get any more to see if it would "take". I have no scar on my arm. I am not sure if I'm immune or not, but have certainly been paying attention to the monkey pox articles.  

All those that have gotten monkeypox have been gay men having gay sex. Don't do that and you'll be fine. 

Pegster8- you are incorrect in that assumption. Time for you to do some research.  

They believe that we boomers will carry some immunity, but it been over 50 years, so how much is unclear. There is no need to panic here, just stay informed as this plays out and if you are below that age that would have been vaccinated just keep your doctor in the loop if you have serious underlying medical conditions. This is NOT a GAY disease. It is a contact with lesion disease.  

Small pox vaccine is kept in great supply because it could be a likely agent for germ warfare. 

Pegster8, it explains many or most of the cases in some countries, but not all. And the most common way it spreads is through droplets, it wasn't considered a sexually transmitted disease until recently. However, in light of recent news, promiscuity and getting intimate with total strangers is more of a risk for this disease (and others) than mere "gay sex" within a committed relationship. 

Some countries are telling those who identify as gay or bisexual, or just people who have sex with a lot of partners, to be extra cautious.