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<DIV><FONT size=4>Ted,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>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?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>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. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><BR>Art Deco (Wayne A. Fox)<BR><A
href="mailto:deco@moscow.com">deco@moscow.com</A><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=Tbertruss@aol.com
href="mailto:Tbertruss@aol.com">Tbertruss@aol.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=CJs@turbonet.com
href="mailto:CJs@turbonet.com">CJs@turbonet.com</A> ; <A
title=vision2020@moscow.com
href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</A> ; <A
title=deco@moscow.com href="mailto:deco@moscow.com">deco@moscow.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Cc:</B> <A title=sslund@adelphia.net
href="mailto:sslund@adelphia.net">sslund@adelphia.net</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, December 20, 2005 12:12
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Vision2020] Health District
HIV Gossip?</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=4
FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="14">All:<BR><BR>Wayne wrote:<BR><BR>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.<BR></FONT><FONT lang=0 style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff"
face=Arial color=#000000 size=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="12"
BACK="#ffffff">------------------------<BR>Wayne, wow! <BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>Ted Moffett<BR></FONT>
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