Here is a quote from presidential candidate Mike Huckabee (1992):
"If the federal government is truly serious about doing something with the AIDS virus, we need to take steps that would isolate the carriers of this plague," Huckabee wrote.
"It is difficult to understand the public policy towards AIDS. It is the first time in the history of civilization in which the carriers of a genuine plague have not been isolated from the general population, and in which this deadly disease for which there is no cure is being treated as a civil rights issue instead of the true health crisis it represents."
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This topic is, of course, the subject of hot debate. Since it can take years for HIV infection to progress to clinical AIDS, a carrier could infect many people without knowing (s)he carries the virus. This means that monitoring HIV status in the general population for the purpose of isolating those infected could be equated to surveillance of personal behavior.
This is an issue where education of the public is paramount, but sadly, even the CDC feels it is necessary to offer a disclaimer on their website about the content of the HIV/AIDS fact sheets:
"This site contains HIV prevention messages that might not be appropriate for all audiences. Since HIV infection is spread primarily through sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may address these topics. If you are not seeking such information or may be offended by such materials, please exit this website."
Just this morning I watched Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee state that he feels it absolutely unnecessary to recant the comments he has made in the past in regard to the AIDS virus and I am somehow not surprised. I, too, believe that preventing the transmission of this disease revolves largely around education and think it would be more appropriate, in a discussion about isolation, that we not instead focus on diseases that are transmitted in a more commonly infectious route, i.e. through respiratory secretions. How many of us go to work with the flu or symptoms thereof?!
Not that I am advocating for this particular candidate- but I believe he wrote these comments early in the HIV/AIDS epidemic when how transmission was occuring was unclear and there were all sorts of "headline-catching" statements made about the disease and how to control it. I remember when people were afraid of mosquito bites as a mode of transmission.
I agree with the above comments that knowledge aned education are the most powerful tools we have in combatting disease- too bad politics and politicians get in the way.
In 1992 the modes of transmission for HIV were well characterized and for a politician to pontificate in this manner is an eggregious example of fear mongering.
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