A.I.D.S. (Press, 28 November 1989)

In a letter published on 28 November 1989, Varian J. Wilson expresses concern over the public's understanding of AIDS prevention, responding to a headline stating that knowledge about AIDS prevention is high. While 94 per cent of respondents claimed to know about condoms and their protective qualities, Wilson highlights a stark contrast in behaviour, with only 6 per cent using them consistently and 4 per cent often. He notes that 71 per cent of people are aware that anyone can contract AIDS, which he believes reflects incorrect notions surrounding the disease being tied primarily to the homosexual community. Wilson points out that, in New Zealand, the vast majority of AIDS cases have been among homosexuals who contracted the illness overseas, emphasising the need to confront the realities of this situation rather than perpetuating misleading narratives. He mentions that, to date, only four women in New Zealand have been reported as AIDS positive, three of whom were infected through contaminated blood. The letter underscores a feeling of frustration regarding the government’s approach to HIV prevention. Wilson argues that measures to intercept HIV carriers and individuals most at risk from entering the country would be effective in controlling the spread of infections. However, he criticises the Minister of Health for not adopting the preventive strategies that many other nations have chosen, favouring prevention over costly healthcare responses to the epidemic.

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