This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/style/coronavirus-hiv.html

The article has changed 23 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
For H.I.V. Survivors, a Feeling of Weary Déjà Vu For H.I.V. Survivors, a Feeling of Weary Déjà Vu
(2 months later)
Three weeks ago, a spring breaker in Miami became a symbol of Gen Z denialism when he spoke to CBS News and said that coronavirus wasn’t going to get in the way of his partying.Three weeks ago, a spring breaker in Miami became a symbol of Gen Z denialism when he spoke to CBS News and said that coronavirus wasn’t going to get in the way of his partying.
Outrage was swift, but one person who felt a touch of recognition was Peter Staley, one of the country’s most respected AIDS activists.Outrage was swift, but one person who felt a touch of recognition was Peter Staley, one of the country’s most respected AIDS activists.
Mr. Staley, 59, remembers what it was to be young and dumb.Mr. Staley, 59, remembers what it was to be young and dumb.
In the summer of 1983, shortly after graduating from college, Mr. Staley moved to New York City and began inching his way out of the closet. In the East Village, hanging out at places like Boy Bar, he heard in “this abstract rumor-mill way” of a plague that was killing gay men.In the summer of 1983, shortly after graduating from college, Mr. Staley moved to New York City and began inching his way out of the closet. In the East Village, hanging out at places like Boy Bar, he heard in “this abstract rumor-mill way” of a plague that was killing gay men.
“My first instinct was like that kid on the beach,” Mr. Staley said. “There was this whole thing of, ‘I’m hearing it’s only happening to the older gays and the ones who slept with hundreds of guys.’ It was so easy to shrug off.”“My first instinct was like that kid on the beach,” Mr. Staley said. “There was this whole thing of, ‘I’m hearing it’s only happening to the older gays and the ones who slept with hundreds of guys.’ It was so easy to shrug off.”
That summer, Mr. Staley got infected. Over the next two decades, lovers and close friends died.That summer, Mr. Staley got infected. Over the next two decades, lovers and close friends died.
When I spoke to Mr. Staley in late March, he cautioned against drawing a false equivalence between H.I.V. and the new coronavirus, which in his estimation are more dissimilar than they are alike.When I spoke to Mr. Staley in late March, he cautioned against drawing a false equivalence between H.I.V. and the new coronavirus, which in his estimation are more dissimilar than they are alike.
H.I.V., he pointed out, was harder to transmit than the coronavirus, slower to wreak havoc on those infected as AIDS, and (until anti-retrovirals went to market in 1996, some 15 years after the disease began seeping into public consciousness) far more likely to be deadly than Covid-19.H.I.V., he pointed out, was harder to transmit than the coronavirus, slower to wreak havoc on those infected as AIDS, and (until anti-retrovirals went to market in 1996, some 15 years after the disease began seeping into public consciousness) far more likely to be deadly than Covid-19.
Moreover, the disastrous inaction of the federal government to AIDS for more than half a decade was largely the result of bigotry toward those most commonly infected: namely, gay men and IV drug users.Moreover, the disastrous inaction of the federal government to AIDS for more than half a decade was largely the result of bigotry toward those most commonly infected: namely, gay men and IV drug users.
Still, Mr. Staley said, “there is no denying that for me and for other long-term survivors of the AIDS crisis I know, Covid-19 is stirring up a lot. To the extent that all of us from those years have some version of PTSD, all of that is flooding back.”Still, Mr. Staley said, “there is no denying that for me and for other long-term survivors of the AIDS crisis I know, Covid-19 is stirring up a lot. To the extent that all of us from those years have some version of PTSD, all of that is flooding back.”
The biggest similarity, in his view, has been “politicians not immediately deferring to expert scientific opinion. That, on very different deadlines, has been just as deadly, helping to drive this pandemic as effectively as during the early years of the AIDS crisis.”The biggest similarity, in his view, has been “politicians not immediately deferring to expert scientific opinion. That, on very different deadlines, has been just as deadly, helping to drive this pandemic as effectively as during the early years of the AIDS crisis.”
And although matinee idols, right-wing politicians and pink-haired divas are publicly disclosing their Covid-19 diagnoses, it has been clear to a number of AIDS activists that despite what Madonna or Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo might say, Covid-19 is no equalizer.And although matinee idols, right-wing politicians and pink-haired divas are publicly disclosing their Covid-19 diagnoses, it has been clear to a number of AIDS activists that despite what Madonna or Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo might say, Covid-19 is no equalizer.
“Pandemics never hit fairly,” said David France, 60, the director of the 2012 Oscar-nominated documentary “How to Survive a Plague.” “While we now have what appears on its face to be a more democratic plague that isn’t confined mostly to a despised population, it has still been most heavily concentrated in the major urban areas, which is blue America, in neighborhoods that are filled with people who are not rich and are often black or brown.”“Pandemics never hit fairly,” said David France, 60, the director of the 2012 Oscar-nominated documentary “How to Survive a Plague.” “While we now have what appears on its face to be a more democratic plague that isn’t confined mostly to a despised population, it has still been most heavily concentrated in the major urban areas, which is blue America, in neighborhoods that are filled with people who are not rich and are often black or brown.”
Covid-19’s disproportionate ability to kill the poor, the uninsured and the elderly has also played into disheartening arguments against reacting aggressively.Covid-19’s disproportionate ability to kill the poor, the uninsured and the elderly has also played into disheartening arguments against reacting aggressively.
That has enraged a number of H.I.V. survivors who have reached senior citizenship.That has enraged a number of H.I.V. survivors who have reached senior citizenship.
“During AIDS, I was disposable because I’m a faggot. Now I’m disposable because I’m a fogie,” said Cleve Jones, 65, who got into activism during the 1970s as a protegé of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California.“During AIDS, I was disposable because I’m a faggot. Now I’m disposable because I’m a fogie,” said Cleve Jones, 65, who got into activism during the 1970s as a protegé of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California.
And there are other reasons for a feeling of déjà vu.And there are other reasons for a feeling of déjà vu.
In 1984, a 44-year-old Dr. Anthony Fauci oversaw the government’s response to the AIDS crisis as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Today, a 79-year-old Dr. Fauci is the director of NIAID overseeing the coronavirus response. And throughout, his calm demeanor and attempt to float above politics has been a source of heated debate among AIDS activists.In 1984, a 44-year-old Dr. Anthony Fauci oversaw the government’s response to the AIDS crisis as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Today, a 79-year-old Dr. Fauci is the director of NIAID overseeing the coronavirus response. And throughout, his calm demeanor and attempt to float above politics has been a source of heated debate among AIDS activists.
Mr. Staley said that Dr. Fauci’s ability to translate science into layman’s terms make him perfectly suited to this moment.Mr. Staley said that Dr. Fauci’s ability to translate science into layman’s terms make him perfectly suited to this moment.
“He’s been one of the only comforting things about all these White House briefings,” he said. “His ability to not get thrown out of the room is something we should all be thankful for.”“He’s been one of the only comforting things about all these White House briefings,” he said. “His ability to not get thrown out of the room is something we should all be thankful for.”
Mr. Jones lamented the “surreal” way that Dr. Fauci has nodded his head in news conferences while President Trump “blathers on.”Mr. Jones lamented the “surreal” way that Dr. Fauci has nodded his head in news conferences while President Trump “blathers on.”
It’s unclear whether some of the lessons Mr. Staley and Dr. Fauci learned during the AIDS crisis will be heeded by the population at large.It’s unclear whether some of the lessons Mr. Staley and Dr. Fauci learned during the AIDS crisis will be heeded by the population at large.
Act Up, the era-defining AIDS organization founded by Larry Kramer in 1987, made civil disobedience an essential part of its sales pitch.Act Up, the era-defining AIDS organization founded by Larry Kramer in 1987, made civil disobedience an essential part of its sales pitch.
One of the organization’s biggest goals was speeding up access to experimental drugs, and the efforts of its members to accomplish this included marches on Washington and chaining themselves to the balcony of the New York Stock Exchange in an effort to bring down the price of the AIDS drug AZT. A number of Act Up’s members had helped get the drug to market before it had been fully tested for toxicity.One of the organization’s biggest goals was speeding up access to experimental drugs, and the efforts of its members to accomplish this included marches on Washington and chaining themselves to the balcony of the New York Stock Exchange in an effort to bring down the price of the AIDS drug AZT. A number of Act Up’s members had helped get the drug to market before it had been fully tested for toxicity.
The argument made was that with people dying, there was no time for placebo studies and bureaucracy. Many came to regret this haste.The argument made was that with people dying, there was no time for placebo studies and bureaucracy. Many came to regret this haste.
“Later, we learned it could be effective in combination with other drugs, but a huge number of the people who took it as recommended during the Reagan years died,” Mr. Jones said.“Later, we learned it could be effective in combination with other drugs, but a huge number of the people who took it as recommended during the Reagan years died,” Mr. Jones said.
“I was handed AZT and told to take 12 pills,” said the writer Hal Rubenstein. “I said, ‘You’re handing me poison, it’s going to kill me before the disease.’” He regards the decision to turn it down as the thing that saved his life.“I was handed AZT and told to take 12 pills,” said the writer Hal Rubenstein. “I said, ‘You’re handing me poison, it’s going to kill me before the disease.’” He regards the decision to turn it down as the thing that saved his life.
That was part of why Mr. Rubenstein, Mr. Jones and Mr. Staley have all been horrified to see President Trump repeatedly tout the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for Covid-19, since the disease resolves naturally in the vast majority of cases and more research is needed on hydroxychloroquine’s efficacy in coronavirus patients.That was part of why Mr. Rubenstein, Mr. Jones and Mr. Staley have all been horrified to see President Trump repeatedly tout the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for Covid-19, since the disease resolves naturally in the vast majority of cases and more research is needed on hydroxychloroquine’s efficacy in coronavirus patients.
“It’s just totally irresponsible,” Mr. Jones said.“It’s just totally irresponsible,” Mr. Jones said.
Another difficult thing about the coronavirus for AIDS activists has been the difficulty of assembling publicly to protest the United States health care system.Another difficult thing about the coronavirus for AIDS activists has been the difficulty of assembling publicly to protest the United States health care system.
As Eric Sawyer and Ann Northrop, two other veteran AIDS activists, pointed out, protest during the AIDS crisis was not solely about fomenting social and political change.As Eric Sawyer and Ann Northrop, two other veteran AIDS activists, pointed out, protest during the AIDS crisis was not solely about fomenting social and political change.
“Act Up,” said Mr. Sawyer, 66, “was young virile men dressed in Doc Martens, fitted jeans and black leather jackets who were marching in the streets, taking over buildings, spray-painting sidewalks and disrupting government. It was sexy and empowering putting boots on the streets and standing up to people in power. That gave people hope, something to belong to, and a way to rally around and channel anger and grief.”“Act Up,” said Mr. Sawyer, 66, “was young virile men dressed in Doc Martens, fitted jeans and black leather jackets who were marching in the streets, taking over buildings, spray-painting sidewalks and disrupting government. It was sexy and empowering putting boots on the streets and standing up to people in power. That gave people hope, something to belong to, and a way to rally around and channel anger and grief.”
Ms. Northrop, who is 71, said: “Now we’re in a situation where we are practically forbidden from having physical contact with anyone, and that’s a heartbreaker. There’s a legitimate reason for it, but it’s a real tragedy.”Ms. Northrop, who is 71, said: “Now we’re in a situation where we are practically forbidden from having physical contact with anyone, and that’s a heartbreaker. There’s a legitimate reason for it, but it’s a real tragedy.”
Updated June 5, 2020
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Still, people are finding workarounds.Still, people are finding workarounds.
Rise and Resist, an anti-Trump group with many members also in Act Up, has been staging six-feet-apart demonstrations about government inaction around the coronavirus.Rise and Resist, an anti-Trump group with many members also in Act Up, has been staging six-feet-apart demonstrations about government inaction around the coronavirus.
Clad in apocalyptic “Blade Runner” meets “Rhythm Nation” gear, they have held up signs that said, “Trump Lies, People Die,” not unlike the “Silence = Death” tag phrase of Act Up.Clad in apocalyptic “Blade Runner” meets “Rhythm Nation” gear, they have held up signs that said, “Trump Lies, People Die,” not unlike the “Silence = Death” tag phrase of Act Up.
Elton John, who has raised $450 million for AIDS research and prevention campaigns through his Elton John AIDS Foundation, organized a virtual benefit for coronavirus relief that aired on Fox on March 29.Elton John, who has raised $450 million for AIDS research and prevention campaigns through his Elton John AIDS Foundation, organized a virtual benefit for coronavirus relief that aired on Fox on March 29.
Billie Eilish and Mariah Carey performed from their homes. The event raised around $8 million, according to Variety.Billie Eilish and Mariah Carey performed from their homes. The event raised around $8 million, according to Variety.
Mr. France, the director, has picked the coronavirus as the subject of his next documentary.Mr. France, the director, has picked the coronavirus as the subject of his next documentary.
And a number of AIDS activists interviewed for this article said their experiences facing the possibility of death decades ago taught them valuable lessons about how to stay sane and healthy during the current crisis.And a number of AIDS activists interviewed for this article said their experiences facing the possibility of death decades ago taught them valuable lessons about how to stay sane and healthy during the current crisis.
Mr. Rubenstein, 69, said he learned from having H.I.V. during the ’80s to not count on the government to protect him.Mr. Rubenstein, 69, said he learned from having H.I.V. during the ’80s to not count on the government to protect him.
“I can’t say I feel invincible,” he said. “I can’t say nothing will get me, because sooner or later something will. But I do think I’ve learned from H.I.V. not to be foolish. I do think I’ve learned that if someone else isn’t going to watch out for me, then I’ll watch out for myself.”“I can’t say I feel invincible,” he said. “I can’t say nothing will get me, because sooner or later something will. But I do think I’ve learned from H.I.V. not to be foolish. I do think I’ve learned that if someone else isn’t going to watch out for me, then I’ll watch out for myself.”
That’s why he got a mask weeks before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made it a recommendation for the general public. It’s also why he never believed six feet apart is a sufficient amount of social distance.That’s why he got a mask weeks before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made it a recommendation for the general public. It’s also why he never believed six feet apart is a sufficient amount of social distance.
“Safe distance is going home and locking the door. That’s the truth,” he said.“Safe distance is going home and locking the door. That’s the truth,” he said.
But Mr. Rubenstein didn’t waste time taking actions that seem panicky and pointless, like buying up the nearest supermarket’s entire toilet paper supply.But Mr. Rubenstein didn’t waste time taking actions that seem panicky and pointless, like buying up the nearest supermarket’s entire toilet paper supply.
“I mean, how stupid can people be?” he said.“I mean, how stupid can people be?” he said.
And Richard Berkowitz, another AIDS activist, made it through March with his mood largely intact.And Richard Berkowitz, another AIDS activist, made it through March with his mood largely intact.
“Honestly,” Mr. Berkowitz, 64, said, “my first reaction when I heard about coronavirus was, ‘Wow! Lucky me. I actually managed to survive one pandemic to be here for another one.’”“Honestly,” Mr. Berkowitz, 64, said, “my first reaction when I heard about coronavirus was, ‘Wow! Lucky me. I actually managed to survive one pandemic to be here for another one.’”