Monkeypox has been spreading rapidly around the U.S, but is there really anything to worry about? 

Monkeypox is an STD that originated in Africa, arrived in the U.K early this year, and spread to the U.S. It originated from monkeys imported from Singapore into Africa in 1958, where it has been spreading in Africa for the last couple of decades.

Headlines and stories recounting the spread have some people wondering, is this the new COVID?

Sophomore John Baranowski is relatively unworried.

“While monkeypox is spreading, it is only spreading in the people who are not vaccinated, and there are a lot of people that are vaccinated, but at the same time a lot of people that are not vaccinated,” reasoned Baranowski. On a scale of 1 to 5, he voiced a  slight concern of 2.

Science and Engineering Teacher  Kelly Green-Jacotin is a bit more concerned.

“While the younger people may already have vaccines, the older people may not and it might cause more harm in the older generation than the younger,” said Jacotin. On a scale of 1 to 5, she gives a concern of 3.

Freshman Patrick Boggs feels indifferent.

“We already have done research on monkeypox, so it should not be a concern at all,” said Boggs. On a scale from 1 to 5, he gives his concern a 1.