Letter to the Editor

Aware of AIDS

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Dear Editor,

I'd like some feedback (facts, opinions, feelings) from McCookites on the subject of AIDS in and around McCook.

While talking with a friend who lives in McCook, I was told there might be a young man with AIDS living in one of the housing units.

I thought about that a while, recalled I knew there was a young man with AIDS who lives in his own home.

If the first information is true, and the rumour is also true, it means there are at least two people in McCook with AIDS. I pity them, but also have some questions and concerns. If there are two young men in McCook with AIDS, does that not suggest there are others?

Whatever the case, I should hope there is a strong effort to educate young people and make them aware AIDS is a factor in McCook and therefore a fact to consider. Shouldn't the educators and medical personnel make an effort to educate our young folks regarding this deadly disease? And, do so in a personal, in your face so you have no doubt, manner! Is such an effort in progress?

If so, let's hear about it among the public via the public news.

If not, pull your heads out of the "sand".

Writer Ray,

Curtis

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  • Hey Ray!

    Yes AIDS is here. It is a fatal disease that has specific routes of transmission, anal sex and the sharing of needles. That's an in your face lesson!

    -- Posted by Hugh Jassle on Thu, Jul 9, 2009, at 8:01 PM
  • For years I have stressed the importance of educating our youth on HIV/AIDS and safer sexual choices, including abstinence. One should never assume that HIV is only spread in certain areas or among certain people. HIV affects all of us in one way or another.

    I would like to point out a few things. First I would like to stress the right to confidentiality for all people living with HIV. And as Chunky Peanut Butter pointed out, we do know the modes of transmission involve blood, seman, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. ANY behavior where a person can come into contact with one of these fluids can spread the disease. Marital status, sexual orientation, gender, race, or religious status make no difference. Finally, AIDS is not a fatal disease. AIDS is an immune difficiency that can allow opportunisitc infections to become deadly. With our current medications, people are living very long lives with HIV. This does not mean that we shouldn't protect ourselves because these medications are not easy to take. But a positive status is no longer the death warrant it used to be.

    I hope that Ray's post can spark some good discussion on this topic because it is something we need to be aware of.

    -- Posted by mefriesen on Thu, Jul 9, 2009, at 10:03 PM
  • We all know it's here, it's been here in SW NE for years. I can think of several people with AIDS who came home to die. Let's show some compassion. Running from them in stores won't keep you from getting AIDS. Yes they are doomed from the effects of AIDS, condemning them won't cure them. A simple smile and a "HI" can brighten their day a little. How about going to their home for a visit, or cooking them a meal.

    -- Posted by Hugh Jassle on Sat, Jul 11, 2009, at 7:47 AM
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