In the City and State, Monkeypox is a Public Health Emergency | The Brian Lehrer Show | WNYC

In the City and State, Monkeypox Is a Public Health Emergency

On August 2, 2022, Dr. Jay K. Varma, physician, epidemiologist, and director of the Cornell Center for Pandemic Prevention and Response, appeared on The Brian Lehrer Show (WNYC) alongside microbiologist and author Joseph Osmundson. The episode focused on the alarming rise of monkeypox cases in New York City, which had just declared the outbreak a public health emergency, echoing the state’s decision to escalate the response.

As monkeypox cases surged in New York during the summer of 2022, Dr. Jay Varma joined the show to explain the medical, scientific, and political context behind the city and state’s declaration of a public health emergency. Alongside Joseph Osmundson, a queer activist and microbiologist, the conversation explored transmission dynamics, vaccine equity, community trust, and how lessons from COVID-19 were shaping the monkeypox response.

In the summer of 2022, New York once again found itself at the epicenter of a viral outbreak—this time, monkeypox, a rare but concerning disease with painful skin lesions, fever, and flu-like symptoms. The rise in cases among queer and trans communities, particularly men who have sex with men, prompted city and state officials to take urgent action, declaring a public health emergency.

To unpack the implications of that declaration, WNYC’s The Brian Lehrer Show hosted a crucial conversation between two leading voices: Dr. Jay Varma, one of the city’s most trusted public health experts, and Joseph Osmundson, a microbiologist and outspoken activist whose book Virology explored how viruses reflect our societal values.

The discussion began with an overview of monkeypox transmission, which, unlike COVID-19, is not airborne but spreads primarily through prolonged skin-to-skin contact. Dr. Varma explained that this posed unique challenges for detection, communication, and prevention, especially when the primary mode of transmission was occurring in intimate and often stigmatized contexts.

A major theme of the episode was public trust and communication. Dr. Varma acknowledged the difficulty in crafting public health messages that were both medically accurate and non-stigmatizing. He emphasized the importance of partnering with community organizations, LGBTQIA+ leaders, and sexual health clinics to reach those most at risk without fueling shame or discrimination.

Joseph Osmundson brought a powerful activist perspective, noting that public messaging must be designed “with, not for” the communities most impacted. He critiqued the early rollout of vaccines, which suffered from low supply, poor outreach, and digital barriers—echoing frustrations from the early days of the COVID-19 vaccine campaign. Dr. Varma agreed, stressing that public health infrastructure must be designed to respond equitably, not just efficiently.

The episode also touched on how lessons from COVID-19 were influencing the monkeypox response. Dr. Varma explained that while monkeypox was unlikely to lead to widespread community transmission on the same scale as COVID-19, it required urgent containment efforts, particularly around testing, contact tracing, vaccine availability, and clear communication.

Throughout the segment, Dr. Varma highlighted the need for balance: acknowledging scientific uncertainty without downplaying risk, advocating for emergency response while protecting civil liberties, and designing health policy that centers the voices of affected populations.

In short, this episode captured the intersections of science, policy, activism, and equity—hallmarks of Dr. Varma’s public health philosophy.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on WNYC