Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

An electron microscopic image depicting a mpox virion.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting all of our lives and causing health problems for many since early in 2020.

Even with that reality, most of us have been able to carry out everyday activities thanks to vaccines, masks and limiting the amount of time we spend in crowded areas.

And although monkeypox isn’t spreading the same way as COVID-19 or infecting nearly as many people, it is another public health concern in our communities. So what are the explanations for why society is being hit by another contagious illness? Aren’t we supposed to be able to rely on science and medicine to keep these in check?

To learn more, The Show spoke with Joshua LaBaer, the executive director of Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute.

Arizona State University

Joshua LaBaer

More stories from KJZZ

• What you need to know about monkeypox
• Get the latest news on COVID-19 in Arizona