[Vision2020] HIV in Moscow: Our myopic reaction

[John Akers]

This HIV situation is horrible and scary. I’m worried, however, that 
our myopic reaction is making it bigger and bader than it really is. 
Shelly is right, we shouldn’t bury our heads in the sand (or snow), on 
this issue. However, hyperbole is not the answer either. 
 
HIV testing and education are absolutely necessary. We must respect 
individuals’ privacy (HEAR ME KLEW!), and offer safe, caring support. 
What is done is done. The next step is to get people tested so that we 
limit further spread. 
 
This is an enlightening experience. Every person in this community who 
has behaved irresponsibly in the past has, no doubt, learned a powerful 
lesson. Let’s do more than just hope the impact is small; let's find 
out for sure, thus ridding ourselves of a possible stigma. Let’s 
accomplish this by maintaining a safe environment by caring about 
privacy and safety. If people feel that their confidentiality is 
jeopardized, they will not get tested. Thank you, Phil and Shelly, for 
being proactive and prosocial through all of this.