Keeping our community safe in the face of Covid-19 and Monkeypox (hMPXV) is of utmost importance to us. The first line of defense against these viruses is wearing a mask - ideally N95, though KN95 or surgical are also acceptable.
The other most important things to do are to get tested regularly and stay up-to-date on your vaccinations. This includes the flu shot, too!
In order to assist you, we have compiled resources for both Covid-19 and hMPXV to the best of our abilities based on CDC and local health department guidelines. We will keep this as up-to-date as possible.
See our event policies for Covid-19 and hMPXV HERE.
Last Update: February 4, 2023
COVID-19
VACCINATION
At this time, everyone should be eligible to receive Covid boosters, including the bivalent booster, which came out in the Fall of 2022. The bivalent booster is important to get as soon as you are able, as it has been shown to provide protection against more recent Covid strains.
Find a Vaccine Location and book your appointment HERE. You can also book your next flu vaccine through this website.
Alternatively, you can also find a location to book your vaccine HERE.
Talk to your healthcare provider about additional options through them.
TESTING
If you are in Los Angeles, this website is a great resource for finding and booking appointments with testing centers all over the city.
Find CVS testing centers and book appointments HERE.
If you have health insurance, you should be able to order 8 free tests per month. For example - one of our leadership team has Medi-Cal, and has successfully done this through their local Walgreens by simply providing their information and asking for it. They were not charged.
You can purchase a 5-pack of home rapid tests by iHealth from Amazon for $44.95 HERE.
Order free at-home test kits through USPS HERE. Only 8 per household can be ordered when this option is available.
If you have COVID symptoms, you should test immediately and isolate. Please do not attend any events or gatherings if you have symptoms, even if you test negative. Wait a couple days and test again. Do not attend a gathering until you have no symptoms and are still testing negative.
If you have been exposed but do not have symptoms, isolate and test within 5 days. If you test negative, re-test 1-2 days later.
Before attending an event or gathering, we recommend taking a test as close to your departure time as possible. This will give you the best chance at an accurate result.
If you test positive on a rapid test, get a positive PCR test immediately. This is important if you have any Long Covid symptoms later on, a positive PCR will serve as better proof than a home test of your past Covid infection.
If you have tested positive, it is generally thought that you are infectious as long as your rapid tests are positive (even if it's a dim line). Do not attend events and wear a mask during this time, until you have tested negative on 2 home tests spaced a 1-2 days apart. You will have positive PCR tests well after you are infectious.
hMPXV (Monkeypox)
VACCINATION
Currently, the hMPXV vaccine is available to:
Gay or bisexual men and transgender persons who had: Multiple or anonymous sex partners in the last 14 days OR Skin-to-skin / intimate contact (e.g., kissing, hugging) with persons at large venues or events in the past 14 days
People of any gender or sexual orientation who engaged in commercial and/or transactional sex in the past 14 days (e.g., sex in exchange for money, shelter, food, and other goods or needs).
People confirmed by LAC DPH to have high- or intermediate-risk contact with a confirmed monkeypox case (as defined by CDC and confirmed by LAC DPH).
People who attended an event/venue where there was high risk of exposure to an individual(s) with confirmed monkeypox through skin-to-skin or sexual contact. (Public Health will work with event/venue organizers to identify persons who may have been present and at risk of exposure).
People experiencing homelessness (PEH) with high-risk behaviors.
High risk cohorts identified by clinical staff in the LA County Jail system.
Other community groups at high risk of exposure to monkeypox as determined by the CDC/LA County.
Vaccination Options:
Schedule via MyTurn.gov
Consider one of these Walk-Up Facilities
Talk to your healthcare provider about any additional options through them.
TESTING
If you have been exposed to hMPXV or have developed symptoms (especially a rash), contact your healthcare provider to order a test.
UCLA Health offers hMPXV vaccination, testing, and treatment.
Total Testing Solutions offers an option to book drive-through testing.
PRECAUTIONS
If you are not yet eligible to get your vaccine but are concerned about staying safe, here are the recommended precautions:
Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like hMPXV. (Note: A party where there is minimal clothing and where there is direct, personal, often skin-to-skin contact has some risk. If attendees are clothed and skin-to-skin contact is unlikely, the risk is lower. Avoid any rash you see on others and consider minimizing skin-to-skin contact.)
Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with hMPXV has used.
Wash your hands often.
Condoms (latex or polyurethane) may protect from exposure. However, condoms alone may not prevent all exposures since the rash can occur on other parts of the body.
Gloves (latex, polyurethane, or nitrile) might also reduce the possibility of exposure. The gloves must cover all exposed skin and be removed carefully to avoid touching the outer surface.
Consider avoiding kissing or exchanging spit.
Wear a mask for extra caution. Although direct contact is the most common way for hMPXV to spread, the virus may be able to spread from close respiratory contact. Wearing a mask is protective against this, as well as against other viruses.