I'm reading a relatively new book called "28: Stories of AIDS in Africa." That's one story for every 1 million Africans currently living with AIDS. Truck drivers and soldiers who unwittingly spread the disease cross-country and cross-continent ... and fail to change their behaviors even after they understand how HIV is transmitted. Elderly women left to care for dozens of grandchildren when their own children die, one after the other. Children, so many children, born HIV positive and then orphaned. Wives abandoned by the husbands who infected them, then shuned by their families and communities. Activists who dare to publicly challenge dictatorial governments. The extent of the ostracism is baffling, considering the simultaneous, astronomical infection rates -- in many cases, those who shut out/shout down the HIV+ are infected themselves.
The author sounds an optimistic note, and perhaps attitudes and statistics are beginning to change. Antiretrovirals have been proven to keep patients healthy, and the sheer numbers mean one can be public about HIV status without being beaten to death.
But from what little I've been reading, there's plenty ofwork to be done. Condoms are still routinely laughed at and unavailable. Medications are more affordable, but clinics remain woefully underfunded, understaffed and understocked -- how can they offer drug therapy to everyone who needs it when they can't even keep latex gloves in stock? Presidents disparage the medications that can keep HIV+ Africans healthy ... or continue to publicly claim that AIDS isn't spread by sex.
Currently a movement is afoot to focus world aid resources not on HIV/AIDS but on Africa's other pandemics -- malnutrition, malaria, parasites, etc. Certainly these are mass killers as well, but AIDS has virtually wiped out an entire generation of an entire continent. If it isn't brought under control, the spiral will continue. Isn't there enough aid to go around?
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I hope my fellow Nebraskans got out and enjoyed this amazing day. Fifty-two degrees, last time I checked; when I spoke to Miz K down Tucson-way, she said it was about 60 there. We're catching up! Think sunshine, everyone ...
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2 comments:
Loved that thing we had yesterday -- whatever it was! Today... not so sunny. Wha happen?
the whole AIDS epidemic sometimes seems just so damned depressing...mostly because the knowledge exists and so few people seem to actually change their behaviors. so sad to me.
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