Update – 9/23/2022

By | September 30, 2022

Vaccination Clinics, Venmo Donations, Feedback From Community Forum

by Derek Johnson-Dean

Zoom Community Forum: Sorting Myths from Facts

Thank you to everyone who called in to the Minneapolis MPX Taskforce’s Community Forum: Sorting Myths from Facts, last Wednesday. We had a total of 51 RSVPS, and the call-in count at its peak was 28 callers. To watch the unedited, non-captioned recording of the event, go to our events page and click on the video.

If you attended the Zoom Forum, please complete a feedback survey for the event. You should have received an email with a link to the survey.

We want to have the information as accessible as possible, so we’re raising funds to have the video of the Zoom Community Forum closed-captioned and/or have a written transcript. Here’s are the costs:

Close Caption – $1.50 per minute X 140 minutes = $151

Written Transcript 1.50 per min x 140 minutes = $151

Grand Total $302

Both allow the Forum to be accessible to those of us with hearing impairments, as well as those of us with learning disabilities.

Donations

If you’d like to make a non-tax deductible donation via Venmo, we are @mplspox. We’ll first pay for captioning, and, if we’re able to raise enough funds, a written transcript would be helpful as well.

In addition to the cost of captioning, we’re receiving requests for educational materials. We have an inkjet printer that produces great copies, but we do still have professional printing, approximately $50-$75 per speaking engagement. Some additional materials are provided by the MN Department of Health.

We are a volunteer organization with generous administrative and financial support from Relax Renew Massage and Wellness, Minneapolis MPX Taskforce has an office, a website, an e-mail address, and a phone number. Both entities have a shared mission of addressing disparities in healthcare and wellness.

Vaccination Clinics

As the vaccine used to treat MPX begins to pour into the state, eligibility requirements are being made more inclusive of all of those who are at high risk for MPX. Please check with the clinic to see what their eligibility requirements currently are. We’re finding that the rules change faster than we can update this site. Here are other opportunities to get a vaccine.


Saturday, October 8, 2022 – Minneapolis MPX Taskforce is partnering with Fairview M Health to offer MPX and flu shots at Columbia Heights Pride. First come first serve. There will be no pre-registration before the event.

Who’s eligible?

  • People who have been exposed to MPX
  • People living with HIV
  • Men who have sex with men and their partners
  • Transgender people
  • People in sex work, or exchange sex for food, money, substances, shelter
  • And others who are at high risk – perhaps the partners of the above individuals or anyone recommended by their healthcare provider

Please direct questions about to MPLS MPLS Taskforce at 612-424-2231 or e-mail: info@mplspox.com.


Mon., Oct 3- Friday, Oct 7th – 8 am-5 pm – Hennepin Health – Whittier Clinic, Minneapolis

Hennepin Healthcare has monkeypox vaccine appointments available at their Whittier clinic next week. Call 612-873-6963 to make an appointment in advance.

Hennepin Healthcare Whittier Clinic
2810 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55408

Who’s eligible?

  • People who have been exposed to MPX
  • People living with HIV
  • Men who have sex with men and their partners
  • Transgender people
  • People in sex work, or exchange sex for food, money, substances, shelter
  • And others who are at high risk – perhaps the partners of the above individuals or anyone recommended by their healthcare provider

For more information call Hennepin Health @612-873-6963.


Tuesday, October 20, 2022 – Thrive @ the Aliveness Project, Minneapolis, MN

Aliveness Project is providing MPX vaccinations to all persons interested. As of 9/29/2022, there are no eligibility requirements.

Please direct all inquiries to the Aliveness Project at 612-822-7945. Email: thrive@aliveness.org

Red Door Clinic in MPLS: 612-543-5555 and Clinic 555 in St. Paul are the two major clinics offering MPX.

Vaccinations for MPX are available at some of the major health care systems. If you have a home clinic, or general practitioner please contact your medical provider for scheduling. If you’re not having luck, then consider the Red Door or Clinic 555.


Approaching 200 confirmed cases

We are fast approaching 200 confirmed cases in Minnesota. The uptick in cases seems to continue. You might say, “200? that’s not a lot”, when you consider the population of the Twin Cities. That said, there are 200 people dealing with an illness that leaves people in isolation for up to 4 weeks. How would you manage to be out of work for 4 weeks? There are at least 200 people dealing with the socially imposed shame of contracting a skin-to-skin transmitted infection. How they acquired the virus is irrelevant! What matters is making sure that everyone with MPX has the support and symptom management that everyone would want in the same situation.

More updates to come. If you wish to contact me directly email: derekj@mplspox.com. Call or text 612-367-6773. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter (@djohnsondean).

Our general e-mail is: info@mplspox.com or phone number is: 612-424-2231.

Thank you to everyone who is making MPLSpox a reality. I could not do this without you!

Derek Johnson-Dean, Executive Director
Minneapolis MPX Taskforce

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