The monkeypox epidemic has piqued the interest of a worried populace still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the lookout for the next virus to disrupt our life.
Professionals, on the other hand, are much more relaxed about monkeypox than armchair commentators.
"Everyone has become a virologist in the last couple of years," said Paula Cannon, a virologist at USC's Keck School of Medicine.
"We don't have to be terrified." Scientists are already familiar with this virus, unlike the situation two years ago with the then-novel coronavirus.
They know monkeypox isn't quite as contagious as COVID-19 and isn't nearly as lethal.