The Story Of HIV/AIDS Is More Relevant Than Ever During The COVID-19 Pandemic
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

The Story Of HIV/AIDS Is More Relevant Than Ever During The COVID-19 Pandemic

The AIDS story still continues even in 2020.

2375
The Story Of HIV/AIDS Is More Relevant Than Ever During The COVID-19 Pandemic

December 1 is observed every year as World AIDS Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, as well as remembering those we've lost and those who are still living with HIV. Since 1988, this day has been a constant reminder of why we must continue to tell this story until the last story is told. Even with the amount of research and information on the Internet, HIV still continues to be stigmatized and many folks who are living with it fear having to reveal their status to friends and family.

However, that is just a small part of a larger picture of HIV in 2020.

Because of the efforts of activists and grassroots organizations like ACT UP, people with HIV can lead long and healthy lives. There are organizations dedicated to helping connect people with medical professionals who specialize in HIV treatment. Some of these organizations even cover the cost of HIV medication for people who are uninsured or whose medical insurance is limited. Groups like Visual AIDS used art as a way to bring awareness to HIV. Visual AIDS also has a database of work done by artists with HIV/AIDS called Artists+, and it has been known to provide pieces on loan to galleries and museums.

Perhaps one of the more significant things to come out of the HIV/AIDS story was the development of universal precautions and the Denver Principles, which are still being used today.

Not to mention the numerous vaccines we were able to produce due to the research done with the HIV virus. The development of the COVID-19 vaccine couldn't have been possible if it weren't for the HIV virus.

With COVID still circulating throughout the world, it's important to remember that we're all at risk. COVID-19 doesn't discriminate, and neither does HIV. It's eerie to see the rhetoric of the past coming back to haunt us in the present. People thought that HIV only infected homosexuals and was not a concern to those who were heterosexual. However, this was proven wrong when notable people who weren't gay announced that they were living with it. Again, with COVID, it's the same story: I'm not old. I'm healthy. Why do I have to stay home and wear a mask?

The answer to that is simple: you can still get seriously ill or get someone else sick.

While these things feel far away in the past to some, to others it seems as if it only happened yesterday. We still must continue to fight and advocate for those who are living with HIV. We must live for those who lost the battle with AIDS, and we still must continue to tell the story of HIV/AIDS until the very last one is told.

Let World AIDS Day be a lesson to you: Never underestimate what a few good people can do.

Report this Content
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

12285
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

943480
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

120968
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments