[Vision2020] Health District HIV Gossip?

Tue Dec 20 08:33:53 PST 2005

Ted,

Without repeating the argument I made,  let me say the same thing to you:  What evidence do you have that because of the incident and discussion of the Mubita case there is less HIV testing?

It is possible that we will have a better answer to this question in time as there may be some requirement for testing agencies to keep and to submit for governmental reporting depersonalized statistics.  I do not know at this time if this is true.  Perhaps someone better informed could post on this subject.

I can only repeat that if there was a chance that I was HIV positive, I'd want to know to protect those I love, to seek the latest medical remedies/treatment/information, and to take other precautions.  Of course, there are selfish people in the world who give not a whit for others -- it is unlikely that these people would request to be tested under any conditions.

However, there are others who cared about the serious consequences to others, especially loved ones.  I think that this is a wake-up call for those on the Palouse to seriously consider being tested.  The empirical evidence of increased testing we have is that the health district has quickly run out of primary test kits.  

I would further guess if UI, WSU, NSA, etc were to offer and advertise a testing program which protected the confidentiality of the test results as much is allowed under law, there would be several hundred people would now decide to be tested.

Art Deco (Wayne A. Fox)
deco at moscow.com

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Tbertruss at aol.com 
  To: CJs at turbonet.com ; vision2020 at moscow.com ; deco at moscow.com 
  Cc: sslund at adelphia.net 
  Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 12:12 AM
  Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Health District HIV Gossip?

  All:

  Wayne wrote:

  It has been speculated that some of what has been written will discourage people from being tested.  I see no evidence of this.  Quite the contrary.  Several brave people have came forward in response to police requests.  The more information that is disseminated, the more people will realize the danger they may be in and/or the danger they may have or may be putting loved ones or others in.
  ------------------------
  Wayne, wow!  

  How would you see the evidence of the people who are afraid of being tested when they don't come forward and are not identified?  And how can you say with any empirical reliability that prosecuting the Mubito case on Vision2020 has not had a chilling effect regarding being HIV tested for some who do not want to take a chance that they will be connected to this event?  No doubt there are many in the Moscow/Pullman area who should be HIV tested that have nothing to do with Mubito.  You assume people will trust that the results of HIV tests are completely confidential, yet many people have a deep seated suspicion about information leaking out from doctors, and there is good evidence there are serious problems with doctor patient confidentiality, as you must know.

  You present no solid statistical evidence that the serious legal problems a person might face after they discover they are HIV positive does not have a chilling effect on the thousands who need to be HIV tested, a chilling effect the Mubito case may in fact be having.  The fact that if you remain untested, you cannot be charged with a crime if you do transmit HIV, while if you are tested and are HIV positive, all that is required to bring charges is a claim by someone that you had sexual relations with them and did not inform them of your HIV status, may give pause to many when they consider being tested.

  I realize this is not a rational point of view, but some look at the odds they may be HIV positive, shrug their shoulders, and figure they'd rather not take the risk of finding out with all the problems a positive test will generate.

  I am certain, though I do not have solid statistical evidence before me for this statement, that many who should be HIV tested look at all the ramifications of receiving a positive test, involving legal issues, career, sex life, family and friendship, and think twice.

  Of course I agree that nearly everyone should be HIV tested.  I almost lean toward mandatory HIV testing for everyone, but that can of worms I will not open now.

  See my other post tonight on this subject, if you wish, on the damage to our legal system when cases are prosecuted in the media, or on list serves, for that matter, for a few more comments on why I think Vision2020 has been too "prosecutorial" in how the Mubito case has been presented.

  Ted Moffett

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