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From: limonce@pilot.njin.net (Tom Limoncelli)
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
Subject: Re: Is it attempted Murder?
Message-ID: <27463@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU>
Date: 27 Sep 89 05:21:40 GMT
References: <27434@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU>
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Archive-number: 1262

In article <27434@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU> Tom.Mickus@f440.n250.z1.fidonet.org (Tom Mickus) writes:

>         We all of course remember the controversial PBS documentary of some
> years back, describing such behavior as practiced by a black street
> person.

Do you mean a black street-person or was it an unconscience typo meant
to say, "back-street person".

(this is off the track about what you suggest, but it is relevant)

Today was Multi-Cultural Awareness day at Drew University.  All
classes are canceled and from Monday night until late Tuesday night
speakers and events are planned.  I attended a panel about AIDS and
was surprised to find that so many people were in favor of quarenteen
for PWAs or HIV+ people.

It was interesting that one of the panel members mentioned that
America is one of the few countries that has anything like quarenteen
for certain diseases.

Cuba is "locking up" anyone suspected to be HIV+, and it's resulting
in a McCarthy/Hitler (ok... I admit that's a bit overly strong
depiction) situation.  The suspects are placed in jails; usually in
solitary confinement.  MOST IMPORTANTLY: It isn't working and AIDS is
still on the increase.

So, avoiding all the social/human-rights issues, on a medical level it
just doesn't work.

>         Perhaps even more pertinent, how does society protect its citizen's
> from such an "attack"?  Hard questions...no easy answers.  Ultimately, we

"Attack" -- What a strong word.

[more deleted]
>         The answer?  Some how mutual masturbation doesn't seem like a long
> term solution.  Strict monogamy?  I guess, but that's old fashioned.  What
> about tightly screened sex clubs?  If everyone is carefully tested, and
> agree to put some restraint on their behaviour, then it seems that such an
> idea would work.  That way people could get the variety they've been
> looking for, without the risk.  However, one could foresee abuses even
> here.  Its all a question of trust, and simply put, its easier to put your
> trust in one person whom you live with, than in a group of people you only
> meet occasionally.

How about more effective education?  The W.H.O. has realized that AIDS
education can not exist in a vaccum, but it must be completely
orientented towards the person's ethnographic background.  That's when
it becomes effective.

The other thing (now that I'm on my soapbox) that I encourage is "the
sexual interview".  (not my idea, but I can't remember the person that
coined the term).  This is not a serious/scientific discussion to be
held between you and a partner, but before "the act" one should
discuss as casually as possible things like birth control, safer-sex
issues, and past partners.  As you sit in the bar/dorm/etc and talk,
you can ask those questions in subtle ways.  The person that coined
the phrase even suggested that it become part of foreplay; some of
those questions can be exciting when talked about :).  The difficult
question is to ask if the person is HIV+, yes, just ask directly out
and possibly find when that person has had their last blood-test (if
any).  The whole technique can be hidden as conversation and becomes 
second nature to many people.

>         Just a couple of thoughts on some aspects of the AIDS dilemma.

Some (mostly) related thoughts on, well, things that were on my mind
today. :)

> Uucp: ...{gatech,ames,rutgers}!ncar!noao!asuvax!stjhmc!250!440!Tom.Mickus
> Internet: Tom.Mickus@f440.n250.z1.fidonet.org
-- 
Drew University   -- Tom Limoncelli
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