a microscopic image of the monkeypox virus
Electron microscopic image of monkeypox virus particles, obtained from a clinical sample associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. It is a thin section image from of a human skin sample. On the left are mature, oval-shaped virus particles, and on the right are the crescents, and spherical particles of immature virions. Credit: Courtesy of the CDC/ Cynthia S. Goldsmith

DC Health is publishing a monkeypox dashboard with data showing demographics for infections and vaccine distribution, public health officials announced Tuesday. Similar to the agency’s COVID-19 dashboard, the monkeypox data will break down infections and vaccinations by age, gender, race, ethnicity, and ward. The dashboard is set to go live today, the Washington Post reports, a few days after eight D.C. councilmembers signed a letter asking for more communication around the virus. 

D.C. has the most infections per capita compared to any U.S. state with 350 as of Wednesday, according to DC Health data; the District is averaging more than five new cases per day. 

Data released today shows that men make up 98 percent of infections in D.C.; White people make up 48 percent of infections, and Black/African American people make up 37 percent. Wards 1 and 2 each account for about 20 percent of the infections.

D.C. has given out more than 16,000 doses of the vaccine, according to DC Health data, with 94 percent going to men. White people have received 62 percent of the doses, while Black/African American people have received 21 percent.

Over the weekend, D.C. expanded eligibility to receive the vaccine to include anyone who has had multiple sexual partners in the past two weeks, regardless of sexual orientation or gender. Students who attend college in D.C., as well as people 18 years or older who are affiliated with DC Health programs are also now eligible. Previous rules restricted eligibility to men who have had sex with men. D.C. residents can pre-register for a vaccine appointment on DC Health’s website. Walk-up vaccine clinics are also open in wards 2, 4, and 8 on Fridays from noon to 8 p.m.

With students preparing to return to school Aug. 30, the letter from councilmembers focused on concerns of parents and their children, who “do not feel they have sufficient information to know what their own risk is or how to protect themselves and their family members.” Lawmakers urged DC Health to develop materials and communication strategies aimed at public schools and parents of young children. Children under 18 years old make up less than 1 percent of infections in D.C. 

Monkeypox spreads through skin-to-skin contact with a monkeypox rash, through fabrics and surfaces used by an infected person, or through respiratory droplets and can spread to anyone.

—Mitch Ryals (tips? mryals@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • To see today’s COVID-19 data, visit our coronavirus tracker.
  • Three people died after a lightning strike in Lafayette Square in early August. A fourth, Amber Escudero-Kontostathis, was the only person to survive, and now she’s talking about her recovery. [WUSA, Post]
  • Metro is running an emergency drill at the new Ashburn station in advance of the Silver Line expansion’s opening. [WTOP, WMATA]
  • With the help from $95 million in financing from the Housing Finance Agency, WC Smith is planning to redevelop Terrace Manor in Ward 8. [WBJ]

By City Paper staff (tips? editor@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • The federal investigation into prominent local lender EagleBank and former CEO Ron Paul just wrapped up, with the bank and Paul agreeing to a combined $22.9 million in fines. The case involved, in part, Paul’s business dealings with former Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans, but the investigation concluded without any other mention of the ex-lawmaker. [WBJ]
  • Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton has another long-shot GOP bill to defeat, this time with an Illinois Republican aiming to impose new restrictions on voting in D.C. [Informer] 
  • Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie plans an event later this month with supporters ranging along the ideological spectrum from Markus Batchelor to Josh Lopez. [Twitter]

By Alex Koma (tips? akoma@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Chesapeake Crab Shack and Bar is opening on U Street NW this Friday, serving blue crabs, other seafood snacks, and orange crushes. [Washingtonian]
  • Moon Rabbit now has a takeout menu inspired by the Hulu show The Bear. It features chicken piccata, an Italian beef sandwich, pan-roasted fish, short rib and risotto, and spaghetti. [Eater]
  • It’s time for another Old Bay-flavored snack taste test! [WTOP]
  • The Post’s Tim Carmen reviews … Wendy’s French toast sticks? “Wendy’s sticks are no match for those at Burger King,” he claims. [Post]

By City Paper staff (tips? editor@washingtoncitypaper.com)

Despite Big Names, Spin Me Round Can’t Right Itself During Summer Film Doldrums

Even the brilliant Aubrey Plaza and a stacked cast can’t save Jeff Baena’s latest film, […]

  • What do Nelly and Styx have in common? They’re both headliners at this year’s Maryland State Fair, which returns next weekend with a new schedule. [WTOP]
  • DJ Bri Mafia performs with Curren$y Friday in D.C., but she’s making major waves all across the region for her work in beer brewing, promoting safer spaces for women in the local party scene, and DJing for kids too. [Post]
  • From American Idol to Broadway; film to performing at Wolf Trap this weekend, ​​Fantasia has refocused on herself. [Informer]
  • D.C. United is ranked last in the MLS and hasn’t scored a single goal in its past four matches. Manager Wayne Rooney is choosing to stay optimistic. [Post]
  • The Cubs beat the Nats in extra innings last night. [WTOP]
  • “I don’t plan to play anywhere else,” two-time WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne says. The Mystics will face the Seattle Storm in the first round of the playoffs Thursday. [Post]

By City Paper staff (tips? editor@washingtoncitypaper.com)

Sign up: To get District Line Daily—or any of our other email newsletters—sent straight to your mailbox, click here. Send tips, ideas, and comments to newsletter@washingtoncitypaper.com.