MPox Policy

For MPox (also known as MPX or monkeypox)

MPOX is a rare disease caused by infection with hMPXV (the human version of the MPOX virus). MPOX is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. MPOX symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and MPOX is rarely fatal. MPOX is not related to chickenpox.

We are not requiring, but to recommend that you get vaccinated for MPox if you are going to be attending any of our events, especially play parties.

Please do not attend any of our events if you have any of the following symptoms of MPox:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Exhaustion/Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • A rash that looks like pimples or blisters on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body like hands feet, chest, genitals, or anus.

MPox Precautions for Parties

  • Be selective in close, skin-to-skin contact with people
  • Avoid contact with people who have a rash that looks like Mpox.
  • Wash shared-use objects with soap and hot water.
  • Clean equipment and shared-use objects with calvacide first then rubbing alcohol
  • Wear gloves while cleaning equipment or handling dirty sheets
  • Remove soiled sheets when done with a scene and replace with clean ones
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom.

Resources for Monkey Pox Testing

Oakland https://www.oaklandlgbtqcenter.org/clinic (eligibility here https://monkeypox.wpengine.com/vaccine/)

San Francisco https://sf.gov/information/mpx-vaccine (includes eligibility)

Santa Clara https://publichealth.sccgov.org/disease-information/monkeypox (includes eligibility)

Eligibility criteria across all 3 counties:

Gay and bisexual men, transgender people, men who have sex with men or transgender people

Sex workers of any sexual orientation or gender identity

Persons who have had close contact with someone with suspected/confirmed MPX within the past 14 days

Persons who had close contact with others at an event or social gathering where a suspected/confirmed MPX case was identified within the past 14 days

Laboratory workers who routinely perform MPX virus testing

Clinicians who have had a high-risk occupational exposure (e.g., examined MPX lesions or collected MPX specimens without using recommended personal protective equipment)

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