SF and NY state declare monkeypox emergencies

Plus, an attack on Ukrainian POWs.

San Francisco and New York state declare monkeypox emergencies; Ukraine and Russia blame each other for an attack on POWs.   Tonight's Sentences was written by Jariel Arvin. TOP NEWS The first US monkeypox emergencies John Smith/VIEWpress San Francisco and New York state have declared public health emergencies in response to monkeypox outbreaks. [Axios / Nick Bastone and Julia Shapero] As of Friday morning, San Francisco had recorded 281 cases. The emergency declaration activates city resources to prevent the spread of the virus starting August 1. [NBC News Bay Area] In New York, declaring monkeypox an imminent threat allows local health departments to coordinate a response and to use state and federal funding on mitigating the virus. The state has reported over 1,200 cases. [CNN / Taylor Romine, Rob Frehse, and Katherine Dillinger] Last week, the WHO declared a global monkeypox emergency as over 18,000 cases reached 78 countries. The virus spreads through close physical contact; symptoms include painful lesions. [CNBC / Spencer Kimball] Most cases have been recorded among men who have sex with men, leading to concerns about public health officials stigmatizing the LGBTQ+ community. [New York Times / Liam Stack] The federal government is still weighing a national emergency declaration, but cleared 800,000 vaccine doses for distribution. [Washington Post / Fenit Nirappil] Ukraine and Russia point fingers over strike on POWs Friday, Kyiv and Moscow blamed one another for an attack that killed dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war in the country's eastern separatist region. [Associated Press / Susie Blann] The source of the attack has not been independently confirmed. Ukraine says it intercepted phone calls that show Russia attacked to hide the prison's atrocities. [Reuters / Max Hunder and Pavel Polityuk] However, Russia says Ukraine fired US-supplied long-range missiles at the prison to prevent captured soldiers from sharing sensitive information. [NBC News / Rhoda Kwan] Meanwhile, defense experts say Russia's military advance is stalling as its troops face a better-equipped Ukraine. [Washington Post / Liz Sly] MISCELLANEOUS On Friday, Will Smith posted a video apology for slapping  Chris Rock at the Oscars. [Variety / Brent Lang] Workers at a Massachusetts Trader Joe's became the chain's first to unionize. [NYT / Noam Scheiber] Gov. Andy Beshear said flooding in eastern Kentucky has left at least 16 people dead, including children. The death toll is expected to rise. [CNN / Elizabeth Wolfe and Theresa Waldrop] Former President Donald Trump is illegally using the presidential seal on towels and other items during a tournament at his New Jersey golf course. [Washington Post / Mariana Alfaro, Rick Maese, and Ellen Francis  Support our journalism   Reader contributions help keep Vox and newsletters like Sentences free for all. Support our work with a one-time gift today. Give CROSSWORD OF THE DAY What's a nine-letter word for on the bias? Solve today's new Vox crossword puzzle, and stay tuned for more puzzles coming out Monday through Saturday. VERBATIM "It feels like survival of the fittest, with all the pandemic waves and now monkeypox and all these vaccine problems." [James Ogden, 31, on getting a monkeypox vaccination / NYT] LISTEN TO THIS Fighting climate despair Climate change has driven some environmental activists to extremes. We talk about overcoming despair with Terry Kaelber, whose husband David Buckel took his life to protest inaction, and Tim DeChristopher, who was imprisoned for his activism.   Listen now   ▶ Read more from Vox The key to universal Covid-19 vaccines lies in your bones What think tank drama tells us about the US response to Russia's war Why the Inflation Reduction Act isn't a sure thing Three bright spots for Democrats ahead of the 2022 midterms Georgia's big Trump election investigation, explained This email was sent to vox@quicklydone.com. Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe. If you value Vox's unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring contribution.   View our Privacy Notice and our Terms of Service.   Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Floor 12, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved.