A relative of the smallpox family, monkeypox occurs mostly in remote parts of central and west African countries, near tropical rainforests, and has two different strains. Over the last few weeks, countries like the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada have reported a spate of cases of monkeypox in their countries. The narrative Western media is constructing around the virus is one of tacit blame and stigma along the lines of race and gender. The latest monkeypox outbreak in some countries once again stokes this under –appreciated truth.
The pandemic was only the latest reminder to illustrate how untrue this is: marginalized communities have always shouldered a disproportionate impact of any infectious disease or illness.
It is the ultimate reminder of human mortality that dawns upon people equally. It is a myth only now beginning to be debunked that health crises are rarely discriminatory.
