Costs...

Less than a year ago, the activists of the world were calling for an AIDS-Free generation.   They were so happy, enthusiastic & utterly sure their goal could be met.   I pointed out some things then like accessibility & stigma that could impede their goals.  But the obstacle most of us discussed was costs, pure & simple.  

These hopeful people made all these plans for a grand world without HIV, yet did little to actually gain the means to pay for it.  They've pointed to pharmaceutical companies, governments, churches & rich people.  Guess what?  That's not working.  None of these agents are fully willing & possibly not even capable of footing this enormous bill.

Regardless of the could's or should's, the point is the money isn't there.  Articles are coming out daily talking about lack of funds for testing here or treatment there.  Whether it's in the poorest countries or the wealthier nations, the money isn't showing up like they thought it would.

It's fine to be a dreamer.  But at some point in order for those aspirations to become reality, there has to be more of a plan, then just a motto.  There has to be a means to facilitate the matter.  Most of all, the costs have to be covered.  Like the song says, "Money changes everything."

Cya...

Facing HIV...

I've been reading a lot about overcoming HIV in the last week.  A lot of people talk about treating everyone & an AIDS-Free generation.  Besides the matters costs & practicality, we need to look past those things & see some of other issues.  

The stigma of HIV is something that is talked about frequently.  Some people think we just need to get passed it.  OK, I'll bite.  How?  On things like bigotry & stigma there is no quick fix.  These things come from a place much darker than HIV.  HIV is a virus.  Bigotry & discrimination are hate & fear.  People decry what they fear.  They pronounce all sorts of evils on the thing, no matter what it is or has done.  From that fear springs hate, because many people despising acknowledging they fear something.   Until people get past their hate & fear, the stigma will remain.

This fear comes ignorance & intolerance.  Something not understood equates to something that is different & potentially harmful.  Therefore they fear it.  Until these people are taught the reality of HIV & untaught the hate so many ideologies spout there is no getting around this ignorance.

Then there is denial & myth.  There are so many untruths & shirks of responsibility when it comes HIV.  Only certain people get HIV.  You can only get HIV that way.  If you have HIV you're a bad person.  Then there is the question of whether or not you're a victim.  Unless you had no control in the manner by which you were infected, you are not a victim.  So stop asking, "Why me?"  

So, by all means people, come up with ways to test more people & get more people drugs earlier.  But, until you get people to deal with their anger, fear, ignorance, myths & irresponsible natures we aren't going to see an AIDS-Free world.  As much as the meds & medical approaches are needed here, so are compassion, understanding & support.  Maybe one day, we'll get all the above.

Cya...

An Aids Free Generation... Really...

I've been reading articles & seeing news blips that push for an AIDS-Free generation.  Nice thought, but is it even possible?  There are many obstacles in the way of this dream.  Let's start:

1.  To prevent HIV, you'd have to treat everyone infected.

2.  To treat everyone infected, you'd have to identify them.

3.  To test everyone, you'd have to get them to cooperate.

4.  You'd need to deal with the ignorance/stigma surrounding HIV

5.  Once educated & tested, you'd need the $ to treat them.

6.  The people would have to adhere to their meds.

7. All sexual relations would have to be as safe as possible.

Accepting that all the above was possible, you'd have to keep that up for a few generations.  Even then, the virus would still be present.  Polio & small pox still lurk out there right along side the plague.  I think the idea of an HIV free world is great, but I don't think it's possible given the current state of social affairs, economy & technology.  I think we need goals to fight HIV, but I also think those aspirations have to be obtainable.

Cya...