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<DIV><FONT size=4>Without pointing fingers, there has been some misinformation
posted on this forum concerning the seriousness of being HIV positive.
Here is some information:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>General information:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><A
href="http://globalhealth.org/view_top.php3?id=227">http://globalhealth.org/view_top.php3?id=227</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/facts.htm">http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/facts.htm</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Effect on life expectancy:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/aids/story/0,7369,751317,00.html">http://www.guardian.co.uk/aids/story/0,7369,751317,00.html</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.globalhealth.org/sources/view.php3?id=668">http://www.globalhealth.org/sources/view.php3?id=668</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><!--StartFragment --><FONT size=4><FONT color=#0000ff> <SPAN
dir=ltr><A
href="http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/adultmort/Vidaurre_paper7.pdf">www.un.org/esa/population/publications/<WBR>adultmort/Vidaurre_paper7.pdf</A></SPAN></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
dir=ltr></SPAN></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
dir=ltr></SPAN></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr>I think that we should not attempt to minimize
the effect on the lives of those who become HIV positive. They face a
number of serious outcomes: For almost all people all of these
consequences are quite unpleasant, expensive to themselves and others, and life
shortening -- for some victims, very life shortening. Those who are HIV
positive in our culture are much less attractive as life's partners. If
you have read the above, you know that the HIV virus can be passed on to a baby
during prenatal times and birthing contact from the mother. It does not
take much imagination/reading to see other far reaching, egregiously personal,
social, and economic harmful effects of being HIV positive.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr>In general, I find it criminally immoral for
someone to knowingly and to intentionally act in such a way that there is a
likelihood that that person is going to be a disease vector. The more
serious the disease, the greater the immorality. That is why there are
stringent laws against knowingly being a HIV vector.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr>From my point of view it is not the sexual acts
of people that lead to HIV/AIDS that are immoral. I could care less
who, what, and/or how, with the below caveats, people
consensually express their sexuality. However, for their own sakes
and the sakes of their sexual partners, prudential precautions ought be
taken. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr><FONT color=#0000ff>People who are sexually
active with various partners should be tested on a regular basis to determine if
they have any STDs so they can inform potential partners of their condition
before having sex and so that they can seek medical assistance for their
condition.</FONT> </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#ff0000 size=4><SPAN dir=ltr>The worst crime is
for someone to knowingly and to intentionally, and without their
partner's(s') knowledge, act in such a way that some probability of passing
on the infection is present. It those cases where the victim's(s') lives
are shortened, acting in such a way is nothing short of murder. Where the
act results in causing the victim and society in general to expend huge amounts
of resources on drugs is nothing short of large scale theft.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr>It is true that not absolutely everybody that
has sexual conduct with an HIV positive person will become HIV positive.
It is the kind of contact, the number of times of contact, and the individual
physiological makeup of the individuals involved that determines whether the
virus will be transmitted.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr>HIV is primarily transmitted through certain
bodily fluids especially blood sera. The Moscow case that has engendered this
discussion has its roots apparently in heterosexual conduct. For example,
during vaginal or anal intercourse, particularly rigorous intercourse, vaginal
or anal capillaries can be ruptured. Hence ejaculata can be absorbed
through these ruptures. The same absorption principle is true, though much
less likely, of the penis head, tongue, or other delicate participating
structures. When there are sores, either open or likely to become open
during intercourse, etc, the risk is greatly heightened. Some of these
sores may be the result of a herpes infection, the presence of which
increases the probability of HIV transmission and then of later contracting
AIDS.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr>I congratulate the MPD for acting in
this matter. HIV is serious business and knowing acting in such
a manner that the probability that it will be transmitted to others without
their knowledge is a very serious business. If nothing else, this Moscow
incident reveals that we need to take a much more proactive approach. I
very much doubt that the defendant in this case is the only HIV positive person
in the Moscow/Pullman area. I very much doubt that he is the only HIV
positive person that is continuing to have sexual relations without informing
their partners of their condition. There is much work to do in this
area.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr>Besides the comments I have already made about
the ridiculously low bail in the Moscow case, there is another entity that needs
to be shaped up, although if the past is any indication, this will be a
Herculean task. I am speaking of the <EM>Daily
News</EM>.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr>At least the article in the <EM>Lewiston Morning
Tribune</EM> gave some of the details of the arrest and case such as the
confirming blood tests and the outré behavior of the defendant. The
<EM>Daily News</EM> article was a bare-bones account.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr>This is a serious incident and one whose
consequences could be catastrophic for many people in this area. This is
what educators call "a teachable moment." Hence, one would hope that a
responsible, community minded newspaper would do two things:</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr>1. Write extensive,
factual news articles about the incident so as to warn the community and to
warn as many potential victims as possible, many who are leaving this week, some
for good</SPAN></FONT><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr>. Those victims should
immediately be tested so that they do not become vectors themselves and so that
they can seek immediate, relevant, non-judgmental medical
advice.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr>2. Solicit and encourage
columns giving <STRONG><FONT color=#0000ff>public health</FONT></STRONG>
information about HIV/AIDS.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr>Instead, the duty of the <EM>Daily News</EM> is
being performed by bar owners Phil and Shelly Roderick who correctly see this
egregious problem as a public health problem and who graciously arranged for
dissemination of information and for testing potential victims.
Congratulations to them. A slimy ton of coal for the <EM>Daily
News</EM>!</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN dir=ltr></SPAN></FONT> </DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN
dir=ltr>
<DIV><BR>Wayne A. Fox<BR>1009 Karen Lane<BR>PO Box 9421<BR>Moscow, ID
83843</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>(208) 882-7975<BR><A
href="mailto:waf@moscow.com">waf@moscow.com</A><BR></SPAN></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>