This week we were asked a troublesome scenario: While on African safari, we injured ourselves to the tune of a compound fracture of the leg. Given the choice of a possibly infected blood transfusion or waiting 20 hours for U.S. blood, what would one do? For me, it was an easy choice. I don't like blood, and I certainly don't like the idea of bleeding out. I'm also not too fond of bones sticking out of my body, so I'd take my chances with the blood transfusion.
Module 1 was an explosion of data and educational material that should be required material shown to all students in high school. It was very in-depth and well written. There were so many concepts that I wasn't aware of in my 15 years of working for a couple of ID docs. Some of the statistics were sad to know, but I'm better off for it. I'm relieved that a class with this magnitude of material on HIV is available to UCF students. Those outside of health majors should consider taking it. It certainly is an eye opener.
Did You Know?
Up until 2008, the Peace Corps had a policy stating that if you tested positive for HIV, you had to hit the road. The Peace Corps is responsible for missions that reach far and wide to many countries. Peace Corps volunteers provide education in underdeveloped countries by teaching and living in those countries.
When one goes on the Peace Corps' website, under "What is the Peace Corps?" tab, the second paragraph states that "nearly 200,000 Peace Corps volunteers have served in 139 host countries to work on issues ranging from AIDS education to information technology and environmental preservation..." (peacecorps.gov)
I wonder what kind of AIDS education the Peace Corps was teaching up until 2008? Did they believe that an HIV positive teacher would pose a threat to the students? Apparently so. Jeremiah Johnson was a Peace Corps volunteer in early 2008. He was an English teacher in the Ukraine, and the only volunteer in Rozdilna.
An HIV test is required as part of the medical examination for the Peace Corps. His initial test was negative. His mid-service exam, however, yielded a positive HIV result. He was told by the Peace Corps that his service could not be continued in the Ukraine due to a law barring HIV positive individuals from working in the country (aclu.org). He was then informed that his services wouldn't be needed anywhere else, either. In the summer of 2008, after Johnson filed a complaint with the ACLU, the Peace Corps have reversed their decision and now will not fire anyone solely for being HIV positive.
While this is a great stride in HIV discrimination, how many people were turned down or terminated prior to Johnson? And leaving country's HIV laws off the table, why would the Peace Corps think that an HIV positive individual would pose a danger to those that they are serving? The last time I checked, volunteers taught students. They didn't share needles or have sex with them. It makes me wonder what their "AIDS education" curriculum was all about in the first place.
www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights_hiv-aids/hiv-advocacy-behalf-peace-corps-volunteer
Hey Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI liked your story. It is crazy that the Peace Corps' was educating people on HIV and AIDS, but the people that would know the most are the ones who have it and they weren't allowed to volunteer. I think our country is really beginning to notice HIV and I hope one day we will except everyone equally.
I really enjoy the QOTW's especially this week. I find myself asking my friends and family what they would do in these situations. This class is helping my family to open up on serious topics in case we are ever in this type of situation.
First of all, wow! That picture was exactly what this module was talking about. Very graphic, but I like it. You are absolutely right about the module bringing a lot of information to light. In my blog this week I also mentioned something about students needing to know certain information while still in high school.
ReplyDeleteOnce again I really enjoyed your Did You Know section. I am really big on discrimination issues and you are telling us about some really good ones. At the same time, you are correct, because with so much knowledge and so many previous cases about discrimination, why are we so afraid of an HIV positive person?
Hey Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI had an interview with a home care company years ago when I had limited time around patients...I was interviewing for the receptionist position. The boss kept drilling me about how I'd be working for, with, and around people who had HIV. Finally I just asked, "You're making quite a deal about this. Am I going to have to have sex with any one of these people?" I was hired shortly after. :-)
That picture is striking! Definitely not something I want to happen to me on vacation! The QOTW really opened my eyes to planning ahead when going out of the country. Getting a blood transfusion would have never crossed my mind prior to this class.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your Did You Know feature. I think the discrimination cases are very interesting. It is sad to think of how many people were discriminated before that one person spoke out. There is such a stigma with HIV, as if you will "catch" it from just being around the person. I will admit that I might act a little differently if I was in close proximity to an HIV positive person, but the discrimination laws are there for a purpose, ya know?
Thanks for the great blog :)
Great picture. It brought home the QOTW.
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised about the Peace Corps. There are still countries where you can't visit if you are HIV positive. We use to be one of those countries. When I went to China, I had to prove I was HIV negative and carry the proof with me at all times. The silly part is I could have become infected in China. They didn't seem to concerned about that aspect.
The Peace Corps had no choice but to ban the person from the country. They would have lost their right to travel freely within countries if they didn't honor the ban. However, to tell him he could no longer serve was a bit over the top. To me it is the same as telling a gay man who loves his country that because he is gay he can't take a bullet for the country he loves so much.
Let's hope that now that we have relaxed our entry policies other countries will do the same.