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Archiver > STEWART > 1999-04 > 0925262626


From: "Jessie Joyner" <>
Subject: Re: FW: Important forward - health risk
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 20:23:46 -0500


Jim Taylor,
Thank you for your informed and TRUE answer to the HIV scare tactic. People
who are informed deleted that message when they got part way through it.
Your answer said all of the things I thought and could not put in words.
I've known several people who have died from the aids virus. Yes, some were
gay, but some were not. But it was the illness that they died from, not
their sexual preference.
Thank You,
Jessie Joyner

----------
From:
To:
Subject: Re: FW: Important forward - health risk
Date: Monday, April 26, 1999 9:11 PM

To Brian Stuart and all Stewart Subscribers,

The warning that Mr. Brian Stuart posted regarding the HIV infected needle
in
the Dallas movie seat is a myth, and it only serves to flame discrimination

against those individuals who have been infected with the AIDS virus. If
he
had only taken the time to check and become more educated, he could have
easily found out that the story he presented did not happen. The Dallas
Police Department has denied. The Dallas Morning News has printed an
article
about the fact that this did not happen. The CDC is unaware of any
incident
like this. A quick check of the urban myths websites would have shown that

this is an old story with the locale and a few facts changed as it travels
around the country. One version says the needle was in the change slot of
a
vending machine.

On a scientific level, the AIDS virus is delicate and fragile. It will
only
live on the surface of anything, including a needle, for a few minutes at
the
most. The CDC does not totally rule out the possibility of someone getting

an infection this way, but says it is extremely unlikely.

Persons who are HIV positive or who have AIDS have to deal with the disease

and its symptoms and the medicine and its side effects. They face
rejection
by their family and friends. They face discrimination and homophobia
(whether they are homosexual or not). They face people do not want to
touch
them or eat at the same table. They face those who would use God and
religion against a disease. And on top of all of that, they face
ignorance.

Now I would trust that Mr. Stuart has done this in ignorance. (It would
pain
me even more to think he acted maliciously.) In doing so, he has sullied
his
reputation and hurt many people by repeating gossip, rumor, and untruths to

untold hundreds. I hope he will have the courage and the decency to try
and
make amends. And next time some one sends you something that they want you

to send to everyone you know, take a few minutes and check it out.

Jim Taylor

(If you want some suggestions as to how to make amends, try these: 1) make
a
retraction, 2) become better educated about HIV & AIDS, 3) volunteer to
help
those dealing with AIDS.)

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