The Nightmare Disease (Press, 21 June 1983)

The spread of A.I.D.S. (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) has become a significant concern in California, drastically affecting the lives of homosexuals and others deemed at risk. On 21 June 1983, a march in Los Angeles drew around 5,000 participants demanding increased government funding for A.I.D.S. research and treatment. The disease reportedly affects homosexual individuals at a rate of two to one compared to others. As fear surrounding the disease grows, measures have been implemented, including the issuance of disposable gloves and face masks to San Francisco police officers responding to suspected cases. Nursing staff in Los Angeles have expressed reluctance to care for A.I.D.S. patients unless assured of their safety. Health officials, including Dr. Martin Finn, highlighted that A.I.D.S. victims face rejection from both their families and healthcare workers. Fears of contracting the disease have led to a decline in patrons at gay bars in San Francisco and the closure of several bathhouses and clubs that once thrived in the community. Statistics from the U.S. Center for Disease Control in Atlanta reveal that out of 1,453 diagnosed A.I.D.S. cases in the country, 558 patients have succumbed to the disease, most within two years of being diagnosed. Medical professionals understand that A.I.D.S. severely compromises the immune system, often resulting in infections and cancers. Most victims identified so far are male homosexuals, with other affected groups including drug users, Haitian immigrants, and individuals with haemophilia. Despite ongoing research for over two years, the medical community is still uncertain about the disease's cause or potential cures. The Assistant Secretary for Health, Dr. Edward Brandt, has affirmed that addressing A.I.D.S. is a top priority for the Department of Health and Human Services, which plans to allocate US$14.5 million for further investigation in the current year. However, the ongoing challenges in managing the disease are evident, especially in major centres like Los Angeles and San Francisco. Local health hotlines are inundated with calls from concerned citizens inquiring about the transmission of the disease, although health officials, including Dr. Shirley Fannin, clarify that A.I.D.S. is primarily spread through blood or sexual contact, not casual encounters, such as using public transport. In a notable incident, two San Francisco police officers cautioned against hosting a Democratic Party convention in the city due to fears of A.I.D.S. transmission, leading to public health officials' intervention to educate them about the disease. As the annual gay freedom day parade approaches, expected to attract more than 200,000 participants, organisers plan to advocate for increased government funding for A.I.D.S. research and distribute educational material on reducing infection risk, demonstrating a community effort to combat the crisis.

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