The World Health Organization has declared a new global public health emergency for an outbreak of deadly mpox, primarily in Congo. In response, wealthy nations must do everything possible to stop the disease’s spread.

Mpox, formerly known as the monkeypox virus, made the news in 2022 when a global outbreak, including in the United States, prompted a public health emergency. But by May 2023, cases in wealthy nations had receded, largely because of vaccination drives and behavior change among those most at risk of contracting the virus. The WHO ended that mpox emergency.

But the virus hadn’t disappeared, and it’s now back on the rise, potentially with a vengeance.

The mpox virus has two types: a much deadlier Clade I and a less severe Clade II. In 2022, the United States experienced an outbreak of Clade II. But lacking support for eradication efforts, including vaccination drives, Clade II simmered in African countries. Worse, Clade I — estimated to have a 3% to 6% fatality rate — also spread, though it was confined to the war-torn Congo. Despite all the global attention heaped on this disease at the time, African countries never received enough vaccines or sufficient support to eradicate the virus.

Now, Clade I cases are sharply on the rise in Congo, where the disease has claimed the lives more than 1,000 people, most of them children. It has reached more urban areas. Cases have begun to pop up in other African countries, including Burundi, Kenya and Uganda.

So far, wealthy nations have failed to send enough vaccines to counter the disease’s quick spread. The African Union’s health agency has said it has only about 200,000 mpox vaccine doses available out of the 10 million needed. Global vaccine alliance GAVI told Reuters it needs $84 million to respond in areas at most risk, but it has raised only $8 million.

But providing vaccines alone is not enough. In Congo, stigma, regulatory obstacles and other crises — including measles and cholera outbreaks — have made a coordinated response difficult. The country finally approved two mpox vaccines just a few weeks ago, Reuters reported, but it has only about 65,000 vaccines available in the short term (for a population of about 100 million people), and vaccination campaigns appear unlikely to begin before October. Comprehensive international support may be the only thing that could beat back the disease.

Will we get it right this time around? If not, the United States and the rest of the world may get an unfortunate shot at a Round 2 of the virus too, perhaps in its much deadlier form.

Zeynep Tufekci writes for the New York Times.

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Which inflatable paddleboards are best?

Paddleboarding is a fun water sport for people of all ages and abilities, but storing a solid paddleboard isn’t always practical. You can fold up inflatable paddleboards when not in use, making them ideal for traveling or storing in tight spaces. But how do you find the best inflatable paddleboard for your summer fun? This guide will tell you more about what to look for when shopping, and it includes our picks for the best inflatable boards on the market. Our top inflatable paddleboard is made by Atoll. It’s a rugged choice that suits paddleboarders of all levels.

What to know before you buy inflatable paddleboards

Length

You should choose the length of an inflatable paddleboard based on your own body weight. Heavier riders will need a longer board to provide more stability on the water, whereas lighter folks will find a long paddleboard hard to control, so a shorter option is best. If you weigh less than 140 pounds, choose a paddleboard that’s 9 feet 6 inches or less. If you weigh between 140 and 200 pounds, choose a board between 9 feet 6 inches and 10 feet 6 inches. If you weigh 200 pounds or more, choose a paddleboard that measures around 11 feet.

Width

The wider an inflatable paddleboard, the more stable it will be. Beginning paddleboarders should look for a model that measures at least 32 inches wide.

Shape

Inflatable paddleboards with V-shaped hulls tend to move quickly through the water and are easy to maneuver in tight spaces, but they aren’t especially stable. Paddleboards with flat hulls are nicely stable but not particularly quick and won’t turn on a dime. Flat hulls are great for beginners, but more advanced riders tend to favor V-shaped hulls.

Construction

The majority of inflatable paddleboards are made from PVC, but the quality varies. Double-layered PVC is far more durable than single-layered, creating a rigid board, but the added weight is a turn-off for some. Reinforced or double-layered stitching can improve the overall durability of a paddleboard.

What to look for in quality inflatable paddleboards

Fins

The majority of inflatable paddleboards include at least one fin, which is usually removable. You don’t need to use a fin on a paddleboard, but it can help you maneuver and keep straight.

Pump

Although not all inflatable paddleboards include a pump, the majority do. This is usually a hand pump, but you can buy battery-powered pumps that are compatible with inflatable paddleboards, making inflation easier.

How much you can expect to spend on inflatable paddleboards

At the lower end of the price spectrum, you can find basic inflatable paddleboards from $200-$300. These aren’t incredibly durable, but they’re great for occasional use, such as only on vacation. Mid-range inflatable paddleboards cost about $300-$600 and will suffice for most beginners and intermediate boarders. High-end models are priced between $600-$900. They’re rugged, reliable and ideal for experienced riders.

Inflatable paddleboards FAQ

Q. Are different types of inflatable paddleboards better suited to certain activities?

A. Yes, some inflatable paddleboards are particularly suited to certain activities. For instance, all-around paddleboards are good for most activities but masters of none. Touring paddleboards are great for long-distance paddling but not necessarily quick or highly maneuverable. Surfing paddleboards are ideal for cutting into waves while racing paddleboards are fast and maneuverable for use in races.

Q. What does PSI mean in relation to inflatable paddleboards?

A. Pounds per square inch (PSI) is a measurement of pressure. In the world of inflatable paddleboards, this refers to the pressure of the air inside the board. Paddleboards generally have a maximum PSI between 10 and 25, though you don’t have to fill your board up to its maximum pressure. The higher the PSI, the sturdier and more rigid your paddleboard will feel.

What are the best inflatable paddleboards to buy?

Top inflatable paddleboard

Atoll 11-inch Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard

What you should know: Made from military-grade PVC, this inflatable paddleboard is both lightweight and incredibly durable.

What you’ll love: The paddleboard includes a paddle, paddle leash, fin, hand pump and carrying bag. It also has excellent stability, plenty of D-rings and a bungee system.

What you should consider: It’s too long for lighter users.

Top inflatable paddleboard for the money

Polar Outdoors by Roc Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board

What you should know: This is an inexpensive inflatable paddleboard that comes with a bunch of things that are helpful for beginners.

What you’ll love: The kit includes all the accessories you need to get started. The paddle’s tip can be used either as a handle or as another paddle. It also comes with an ankle strap to help you stay stable.

What you should consider: It can be tricky to inflate with the included hand pump.

Worth checking out

ADVENOR Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board

What you should know: With its V-shaped design, this rugged inflatable paddleboard is quick through the water but stable, too. It’s best for intermediate and advanced riders.

What you’ll love: The 6-inch thickness gives this board a solid, rigid feel. The deck is well-padded and nonslip, and the single fin is great for maneuverability.

What you should consider: It comes with a poor-quality pump.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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The plan will allow for new residential development around two incoming Metro-North stations in Morris Park and Parkchester/Van Nest. It includes “critical modifications” to respond to locals’ concerns about retaining neighborhood character, according to Councilmember Kristy Marmorato.

The City Council on Thursday voted to approve a sweep rezoning plan for the East Bronx, which aims to spur the development of some 7,000 new apartments around two Metro-North train stations planned for the area in the coming years.

The Bronx Metro-North Station Area Plan will rezone roughly 46 blocks surrounding a commuter rail line in the Morris Park and Parkchester/Van Nest neighborhoods, looking to capitalize on new transit options near two of four Metro-North stations to open in the Bronx in 2027.

The zoning changes will allow for housing development in parts of Parkchester/Van Nest that are currently zoned only for commercial and manufacturing uses, and increase the amount of housing allowed both there and in residential districts of Morris Park, according to the Council.

The approval comes as the city faces its greatest scarcity of rental units in several decades, and as Mayor Eric Adams’ administration seeks to pass a more comprehensive rezoning, the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, that would make it easier to build citywide, including around transit stations.

City Council District 13, where much of the rezoning area is located, saw just 369 new affordable apartments built between 2014 and 2023, ranking 39 out of the Council’s 51 districts when it comes to housing development, according to a tracker produced by the New York Housing Conference. Neighboring Council District 18, which includes Parkchester, saw 2,523 affordable units built during the same period.

The community boards that encompass the rezoning area issued mixed recommendations on the plan. Bronx CB11, which spans Morris Park, Pelham Gardens, Pelham Parkway and Van Nest, voted in favor of the rezoning, though cited concerns about needed infrastructure upgrades to accompany the growth it would bring. Bronx CB9, which includes Parkchester, similarly weighed in in favor.

Bronx CB10, which covers the Pelham Bay and Westchester Square neighborhoods, opposed the rezoning, saying in its recommendation that “building height remains a concern,” and calling for the plan to include more affordable home-ownership opportunities.

While community board votes aren’t binding, they can influence how the City Planning Commission and City Council negotiate the details of a land use deal. City Councilmember Kristy Marmorato, whose represents much of the rezoning area and has previously opposed high-profile housing projects in the district, voted to approve the plan Thursday.

“From the moment this proposal was introduced, I have been committed to ensuring it aligns with our community’s needs and aspirations,” the lawmaker said ahead of her vote.

“In response to your concern, we secured critical modifications to this plan,” she added. “This includes capping building heights, reinstating parking mandates and protecting our low density neighborhoods.”

Councilmembers say they also negotiated $500 million in local infrastructure investments to accompany the rezoning, including renovations to eight parks and playgrounds, and facility upgrades for seven schools. The money will also go to building a pedestrian plaza at the Morris Park station, plus transportation enhancements and drainage upgrades to prevent streets from flooding across the rezoning area.

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said that work “will have a lasting positive impact for the residents of the Bronx.”

“Confronting our city’s housing and affordability crisis requires creating more homes for New Yorkers,” she said in a statement. “The opening of new Metro-North stations in the East Bronx presents a unique opportunity to develop new housing and homeownership opportunities.”

To reach the reporter behind this story, contact Jeanmarie@citylimits.org.

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