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Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support. FOR THE WEEK OF AUG. 08, 2022 Monkeypox cases rise in U.S. and elsewhere, though this virus doesn't bring Covid-like fears![]() ![]() Summarize any fresh news about the disease.
![]() Share something you learn from other medical or wellness coverage.
![]() Find brighter news of any kind and tell why it makes you smile.
In year three of Covid, another virus is gaining wider attention. The federal government now classifies monkeypox as a national health emergency, with the number of U.S. cases passing 7,000 late last week. The situation is far less dire than when the coronavirus pandemic began because monkeypox generally spreads through close personal contact rather than through the air. Still, the World Health Organization also elevated its level of concern in July. The smallpox-related disease, which normally occurs mostly in central and western Africa, spreads from animals infected with a monkeypox virus. Symptoms, which last two to four weeks, include fever, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes and a blistering rash. Estimates of the risk of death vary from 1% to 10%, though few fatalities have been recorded in the last five years. The global case count stands at about 26,000. The average U.S. monkeypox patient is around 35 years old and male, but people of all ages can be infected. The government has recorded at least five cases in children. Last week's declaration by the Biden administration lets the government offer contracts for treatments and supplies, though it doesn’t immediately address a shortage of specialized vaccines. "We will continue to look at ways to quickly get more vaccines out to populations across the country, but that's just one part of our strategy," White House spokesperson Chris Meagher said last Friday. Military health workers and other personnel may be assigned to help manage the emergency, as they did for Covid in 2020-21. Separately, scientists are trying to figure out whether recent mutations to the virus are helping it spread in ways they don't yet fully understand.
Front Page Talking Points is written by
Alan Stamm for NIEonline.com, Copyright 2022
Front Page Talking Points Archive►Monkeypox cases rise in U.S. and elsewhere, though this virus doesn't bring Covid-like fears ►Awareness spreads that early-morning classes are unwise; California has a new school start-time law ►Teens benefit from wider choice of better-paying summer jobs ►Extra-hot summer around world is seen as another result of you-know-what climate trend ►NATO military alliance that includes U.S. will add two members – a show of unity against Russia ►Summer travel impact: Here's why gasoline prices steadily spin higher across U.S. ►Yellowstone Park flooding is reminder of long-term climate change impacts, experts say ►America marks 50 years of Title IX, a law that opened doors for women in sports and beyond ►'Green' news roundup: Mowers, bees and fresh urgency on climate change |