Bye March...

March is almost out the door.  Of course, it's leaving on a gloomy, wet note.  That's been most of the month.  This month has been stressful & odd.  A lot of it had nothing to with the weather, but the drear didn't help.  

Goodbye March.  Find some sunlight next year.

That's all for now.  Take care.

Cya...

Hard Times...

This article is about isolation COVID-19 is causing, especially among the elderly in the Gay & non-hetero communities.  It compares these people to their straight counterparts.  It talks about their losses, fears & needs.   These people were dependent on  communities & services offered.  Now, they've both have been shut away from all that support.  This is  hard on everyone.  But, the more fringe you are, the harder it is.  These people are Gay, HIV+ & elderly.  Often they're lone & lacking resources.  

Give it a read.   Take care.  

Cya...

Corona Sides....

On the downside, my rural county now has its 1st COVID-19 case.   Also on the bad side, idiots in my area are treating off duty medical professionals/staff as pariahs.  They're being harassed in public & sometimes even forced to leave stores.  These are the people who are going to take care of you.  Still, you won't let them buy groceries.  If you're 1 of the people tormenting these health care providers, you deserve nothing but the worst.

On a good/bad side, Orange Trumpius allowed the pharmaceutical company, Gilead, orphan status on a med to fight coronavirus.  This would've allowed the company to treat this as a rare disease & charge extreme prices for the med.  According to this piece,  Gilead asked the FDA to rescind the orphan status.  Gilead faced serious backlash after the attempt to profiteer off of COVID-19.  I guess they'd had enough bad press lately.

On the brightside, this article is about how 2 COVID-19 patients in New York were taken off ventilators after receiving an experimental drug.  Leronlimab (PRO 140) is a humanized antibody in development by CytoDyn.  The company specializes in antibody therapies which target CCR5, a receptor  in white blood cells known to be an issue in many ailments from HIV to cancers.    The drug is still experimental, but being fast track approval by the FDA.  It could be an answer.  Here's hoping.

Cya...

Winding Down....

This is the last weekend in March 2020.  Hopefully, April will bring sunshine & good news.   March hasn't been gushing with either.

Not much in the articles, but I did glean a few bits.  For starters, many scheduled  HIV/AIDS conferences & events have been cancelled or made virtual due to coronavirus.   Next, the FDA has allowed the use of a 15-minute coronavirus test.  It's based on the rapid flu test.  This is good news, with the exception there's still a shortage of masks & swabs.  Both are necessary to administer this test. 

Cya..

3 Of Interest....

When it rains, it pours is true with articles.  I found 3  today.  I won't go too deep into them, they deserve a read.   Support these articles.

The 1st piece concerns HIV & TB.  It details how HIV+ people are more at risk from TB.  This is article was focused on areas with lower resources, but these conditions could always spread.

2nd, this article is about a man & the Ohio Court.  He argues being imprisoned & HIV+ during the COVID outbreak, could constitute a death sentence.  That it was cruel & unusual.  If the virus gets in the prison, it will spread & kill many.  

Finally, this piece is about a HIV+ man.  After years of safe sex, he slipped & contracted HIV.   He now approaches people as if they're all HIV+.  To me, that's the only safe way.   Now, he's reacting to COVID-19 the same way.   Again, reasonable.

Give these a read.  Take care.

Cya...

Warm...

It's supposed to unseasonably warm today, the upper 80s.  Then it'll drop back between 15 - 25 degrees.   I don't need that level of warmth yet, but I am loving the sunlight this morning.  

There wasn't much of anything beyond COVID-19 news in the articles today.  I'll look again tomorrow.  Until then, try to stay well. 

Cya...

Updates, Of Course...

It's been a fairly busy time for us.  We're running more errands just to keep up.  Most the articles are focused more on COVID-19 than HIV.  Experts keep vacillating, from HIV putting you at more risk or not. 

I wanted an easy morning.  Too bad.  Windows has to update for the nth time this month.  Come on Windows, get it together.  Before the last feature update, regular updates were monthly.  Now, they're weekly or more often.  It's annoying.

Hope everyone is doing as well. Take care.

Cya...

Renewal Time..

It's benefit renewal time.  I hate this.  It's online & the site is sketchy.  Sometimes it just doesn't work.   You have to wonder what actually got through.   It irritates me they do this.  They know everything I have & how much I make.  This annual thing just seems to waste time & funds  on their part.  It caused drama &  stress on my side.   

Here's hoping this goes well.

Cya...

Early Monday...

We have to be around early this morning.  My roomie has an appointment.  Then we have normal Monday stuff to handle.   This wouldn't be as bad if the sun would just shine through these clouds.  

Anyway, I didn't see any pertinent articles.  I admit I could've looked right over them this morning.  I'll look again tomorrow.

Take care.

Cya...

Dreary March Sunday...

The title about says it all.  It's still raining.  It's gloomy.  March is seriously  dismal this year.  Very little in the way of good articles.  Most of those published today were over coronavirus or historical.   Maybe it'll get more on track soon.  

Take care & try to stay safe.

Cya...

PS - Tried a meal kit service & was not impressed.  It was overcomplicated, bland & not worth the price.  A spaghetti dish I could've made for 6 people for under 5 bucks cost almost $9 + $8 shipping.  For nearly $17, I could've fed a party of people & it would've been a hell of a lot better.  Probably won't do the meal kit thing again.  

3 Things....

I think this month should be renamed Meh-ch.   There's been nothing marchy about it.  There's been a lot of blah, yuck & yes, meh!  I'm going with Meh-ch, because they'd shoot down Sucktastithon, the yuckiest Spring month.  Come on March, at least act like you're trying.

This piece is about lessons the writer learned during  the early years of the AIDS epidemic & how they can help now.  He doesn't directly compare HIV & COVID-19, because they're not he same.  But, he does point out, a lot of tactics to get through this coronavirus period are the similar to those employed during the 80s & 90s AIDS years.   

On a good note, this article is about Health Canada approving the once monthly, injectable, Cabenuva to treat HIV.   This med was previously denied by the FDA on  a need for more research basis.   This is the 1st time this med has been approved for use.  This could be game changing.  

Cya...

Spring....

The Spring Equinox is here or was here depending on where you are.  So far, Spring is a dreary mess.  At least,  it's not supposed to rain for a couple of days.  The clouds will stay though.  

I didn't see any articles of interest.  They were still over CORVID-19 & rehash.   This may be the case for a while.  

We have to go shopping soon.  We need to pay the gas bill & grab some stuff for the cats.  Other than checking the mail, nothing else is going on here.

Take care.

Cya...

Failure & Success

Short post over a COVID-19 development.  Health officials were using HIV meds to treat coronavirus.   It didn't work well.  According to this piece, a Japanese Flu med called Avigan is faring better.  It's  speeding the rate of recovery.

The 1st approach didn't work, but another seems to be having success.  That's how research goes.  Hopefully, this will slow the spread down & allow for people to recover.   

Take care & more tomorrow.

Cya...

Just C...

There's nothing going here, but the month long diorama of clouds & rain. So far, March has been 1 note.   It doesn't look to clear up any time soon.  

Most the articles still concern COVID-19.  They're now are aiming their gloom at Africa.   Maybe some HIV+ Africans are more at risk or have limited ability to maintain a regimen.

Coronavirus is serious.  But, this feels very hyped & staged for panic.  Panic makes people do dumb things.  Like, re-elect Trump.  These types of situations may hurt some businesses, but others are thriving.   This scenario can be used to undermine civil liberties & decency.  

Remember, this isn't the 1st pandemic we've been through.  It probably won't be the last.   Try to stay calm & do what you can.  You can't do anything about the rest of it.  Stop reading social media about coronavirus.  A lot of it is inaccurate & much is just mean spirited.  

Be kind to yourself & others, take care.

Cya...

Rebuttal...

It's still raining & dreary as hell.  Let's get to it, shall we?  A couple of days ago I posted over how HIV+ people with good numbers had no additional risk from COVID-19.  Then some idiot from the CDC, (probably someone looking to make a name) provided contradictory information.   

This piece is among the many to refute that statement.   Much of the CDC statement seemed not just aimed at HIV+ people, but also those in the Gay community.  Coronavirus is serious & procuations should be taken.  But, just because you're Gay or happened to be HIV+ doesn't make you more susceptible to COVID-19.  

Be sensible.  Wash your hands.  Keep aware of your environment.  Also, remember Trump slashed CDC staff.  Who know's what's actually left  over there, maybe some pro-trump baboons.  Until we have another administration, it's unlikely we can trust much coming from trumpanized government agencies.  Grain of salt time here folks.

Cya...

March Gloom...

I've done alright with my SAD this Winter, but March is kicking my ass.  This has been the worse month of the season.   It's been darker & wetter.  I'm also running out of steam to deal with this dreary BS.  The rest of the month looks like hell.  The forecast is overcast & rainy.  I'll be glad when this crap goes away.  I need sunlight.  I need mornings with light  streaming through my windows & I'm not looking at pitch or grey clouds.  I need to recharge.  

Cya...

FIRE!!!

I'm not saying COVID-19 isn't dangerous.  Here are some relevant charts.  I'm saying, while the virus is a hazard, it's not as dangerous as the hype.  

Some are comparing this to AIDS in the 80s.  It's not the same. Having AIDS then was nearly always a death sentence.  It was horrifying, humiliating & isolating.   Doubt me, look at pictures of those who have died from coronavirus & then at those that died from AIDS during the 80s.  This is just an instance where a deadly virus is spreading  & has no target audience.  Anyone can catch it.  It's causing outrage, stigma, fear, & dangerous actions.

It is illegal to yell fire in a theatre.  Even if there is a fire, if people panic, it will be worse.  More people die of panic reactions in dangerous situations than from the actual danger.  They get trampled, attacked, accused, abandoned, etc... 

Yes, this is a serious situation, but panic won't help.  Try to stay calm & reasonable.  With all likelihood this virus will pass & we'll move on.  Unfortunately, we'll likely return to our status quo & learn nothing.

So be calm & take care.

Cya...

Rain, Gloom & TP....

Alright, I know we can't do anything about the weather, so I'm stuck with the grey skies & rain.  But, how about calming the hell down over toilet paper.  Coronavirus doesn't cause any additional need for toilet paper.   So why are so many people acting like rampaging barbarians when it comes to TP?  

My locals stores were out.  We were headed over to Fort Smith anyway, so we hit a Walmart there.  They were out as well. A stocker told me toilet paper was on the next pallet she had lined up to stock.  I had to wait about 20 minutes, but I bought toilet paper.  hen I had walked to the front of the store, I looked back.  When I did, everything had been grabbed.  Not a single roll made it to the shelf.  The stocker just turned around & went to the back.  

Again, this virus doesn't demand extra TP.  But there's everyone else, who still needs to buy toilet paper for everyday use.   Stop letting this virus turn you into idiots.  Fear & idiocy is how panic starts & bad things follow.

Cya...

13th...

Friday the 13th is here.  Nothing much going on for us.  We'll go shopping here in a bit.  It's  going to be another gloomy day.  It's supposed to rain all day.  More like, all month.  Articles were rehash & covering coronavirus.   Maybe tomorrow.  

Until then, take care.

Cya...

Not Much...

Not much is going on this morning.  The clouds keeping rolling past the Sun, making it go light to dark.   I'd love a bright day.  That's not looking likely this month.   The trash man have come & went.  I need to run a small errand later for my roomie.  Other than that, we don't have plans for today.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Not Significant...

Brief post this morning. This piece states people with  controlled HIV aren't at a higher risk for coronavirus than others.  I'm not going to add to this.  I'm not familiar with this virus & I'd simply be reiterating the article.  If you're interested, go read it.  This doesn't mean a HIV+ person can't contract corona.  Only that they're at no higher risk than anyone less in a similar demographic.

Take care.

Cya...

Self Love...

Found an article about Rae Lewis Thornton.  She's an HIV activist diagnosed with AIDS in the early 90's.  Before that,  she worked with various political efforts as she put herself through school.   After finding her status, she went public.  She was on the cover of Essence magazine revealing her condition.  She's been involved with HIV activism ever since.

She asks a simple, but hard question, "Are you sleeping with someone you love or someone you want to love you?"   This article is aimed at young women.  Still, I think it applies to everyone, definitely those who come from a rough background.   It's about learning to love yourself.

It's not cliche & it's a good read.   The 1st line from the new song in Cats (2019), is, "All that I wanted was to be wanted."  Beautiful Ghosts is about  fear & desperation.  It may sound pretty but the thought is terrifying.  To be that desperate makes you very vulnerable.  Many would take advantage.

This piece is about accepting yourself.  Seeing yourself as worth loving & protecting.  That it's up to you to learn to keep yourself as safe as possible from things like HIV & horrible people.

Take care.

Cya...

2 Things...

This article talks about being diagnosed HIV+ after 50.  In this Canadian piece, they note over 20% of  new HIV cases in 2017 were from people 50+ who engaged in heterosexual relations. Over 70% were diagnosed while at the hospital.  70% also faced AIDS at diagnosis.  The good news was, older patients are more likely to adhere to regimens.

According to this piece,  Mildmay, London's only HIV specialty hospital, may be facing closure.  Made famous for it's part in the fight against AIDS.  Princess Diana also visited.  Due to budget issues, it may be closed.  Maybe if Britain had focused it's health monies on actual issues instead of PrEP, this hospital's closure wouldn't be likely.  

Sorry, nothing good this morning.  BTW, the day after the time change also sucks.  Especially when you wake to grey, rainy skies.  Take care.

Cya...

Sprung...

I have to admit, I'm kind of glad I didn't find any articles this morning.  I don't think I could've done them justice.   Not after springing forward.  

The time change screws with people.  I wish we could just pick a lane & stay in it.  At least when I was younger, the periods were closer to being equal.  This last time was just around 4 months. 

I'll be more with it tomorrow.  Take care.

Cya...

Doubts...

I saw some articles over ending stigma, but you can't.   HIV has been here for decades & we have excellent information   Stigma isn't about education. 

This ugliness comes from hate & fear.   They hate anything not like them.  They don't fear HIV, Gays or trans people.  The thought of anything altering their reality terrifies them.  They're struggling to maintain their status quo.

Activists have confronted HIV stigma since the 80s, with little success.  This is a shame & blame game, based on feelings, not facts.  This is being pushed by the hyper conservative (politics & religion).  It's to hold on to a revisionist history about a nostalgic fantasy that makes them feel part of things.  

If you have doubts, consider this.  If stigma can be handled, then why are people of Asian decent being attacked in the States for fear of Coronavirus?    These aggressors are agitated by the idea of this new illness.  They can't hit the virus, but they can slug a person.   These attacks represent the same mentality against those with HIV.  No amount of education is going to get rid of stigma.  

Stigma isn't a information issue.  It's a mental illness.  Maybe someday they'll find a cure.  I doubt it.  It & other means of social division are at the core of our society, us & the other.

Cya...

March Friday...

It's the 1st Friday of March 2020 & also the last before Daylight Saving.  We'll be heading out soon to handle shopping & the remainder of household bills.   We need to see if our lawn guy's available this year.  If not, I'm not sure what we'll do about that.

I'm in a bit of funk this morning.  Hopefully, the change of morning light will help with that as we head into Spring.   I feel like I'm treading water & getting no where.  

Most of my life has been about losing things.  There usually isn't any replacement for what I've lost & if there is, it's never as good.   When you're raised like me, you try to hold onto things.  Losing them, is like losing part of yourself.  Having someone take them from you, even if the thing was abstract feels like an attack.   So now, even if the slightest thing is taken or threatened I feel overwhelmed, scared, angry, anxious, etc... It doesn't even have to be something I need.  It can  be something I happen to be fond of, like a cancelled TV show.  Is it life threatening?  No.  But, it still feels like a slight.  

Here's to hoping for sunny mornings.   Take care.

Cya...

2 Things...

Bad news 1st, this article is about a Canadian nail salon.  It had a nearly 2 year lapse in infection protocols.  Meaning, anyone using their services during that time could've been exposed to HIV or hepatitis.  So far, at least 400 people have been tested.  Come on people, infection control at a salon isn't rocket science.

Good news, this piece is about another monthly injectable that's moving along well in testing.   Hopefully it'll be available soon.  These long lasting injectables could be game changers for regimen adherence.   This would be especially true for those living in difficult, unsafe or transient conditions.

Have a great day & take care.

Cya...

Busy Morning...

There's not much for articles this morning.  Everyone's probably focused on the primaries.  Maybe there'll be some tomorrow.  

I need to get around.  I have stuff to do in the house & then a couple of errands before I need to run over to Fort Smith to get my roomie.   On top of that, I got a weird screen at start-up this morning.  I'm trying to check that out.

That's all for today.  Take care.

Cya...

Corona....

This piece concerns HIV+ people & Coronavirus. I'm won't say much on it, this is an important read.  I can't offer any more on the matter.

If an HIV+ person is on a well maintained regimen with good numbers, they should only be at slightly elevated risk.  If not, the risk could be significant.   This is due to a lowered immunity system.   This would also include other ailments/treatments; chemo, transplants, mass steroids, autoimmune issues, etc...  For those people, the risks are substantially higher.  

Read this piece & take care.

Cya...

HHS & Condoms...

It's been speculated that the Department of Health & Human Services may be anti-condom.   They have info on their site about condoms, but rarely promote it.   Instead they promote PrEP & abstinence.   

This piece is about an image the HHS wanted removed from fliers.  They say it wasn't approved.  It seems fairly straight forward. 

The article's an interesting read.  It details condom usage in a HIV fact sheet aimed at women.  It's since been altered to remove  the condom images.   Albeit condoms are cost effective & prevent much more than HIV, they aren't being pushed.   Maybe the HHS isn't getting any incentives to push condoms?

Cya...

Hello March...

March opted for a windy, grey start.  I'd preferred sunny & calm.  It'd be nice for this to be a good month.  The 3rd month of 2020 is underway.  

Most the articles posted today were rehash pieces or covering coronavirus.  They mostly pointed out Pence's  HIV failures.  That's the reality of the situation.  Still, we need to move on so someone can get a handle on this new virus situation. 

That's about it for now.  This week will be busy with bills & the like.   Here's hoping for decent weather & a "no drama" March.  Take care.

Cya...