Stop the spread. At the moment, this is the singular, most important and most decisive move in addressing the sudden surge of HIV infections. This is also the most practical rationale behind the intensive condom distribution recently implemented by the Department of Health (DOH). The condom distribution, of course, is attracting attention, thanks no less to the corrosive and knee-jerk reactions of the religious, most especially the celibate Bishops, or some Bishops, of the Catholic Church.
Health Secretary why-now-only Esperanza Cabral put the condom distribution in context: HIV-Aids is an “epidemic, not just a scare.” Consider the alarming facts: There are at least four persons diagnosed with HIV every single day. This is very far from the one case daily in previous years. At the end of the 2009, there were 4,400 known cases. Yes, Deejay, known cases only. By the end of this year, DOH is making a conservative estimate of 8,800 new cases. If we do not halt this trend, we are looking at about 34,400 new cases by the end of 2011.
Is it immoral to distribute condoms? We should also ask: Is it immoral to stop deaths when we have the means and wherewithal to do so? Indeed, it is the height of fallacy to think that condoms will stop HIV infection. No, no. However, we should not also be blind to the idea that this formula is the most practical at the moment, given that not all people are susceptible to the moral-sync, celibate-only, and one-partner-only mindset. Not all people are like some Bishops who can survive a sexless life.
In my Socio-Anthropology classes, my students and I get to navigate the finer issues (stigma attached to people living with HIV-Aids, illegal drug use, truths and myths about the virus, risky sexual behaviors, handling sexual concerns, morality and sexuality, etc.) surrounding HIV-Aids. However, my students are honest enough to admit that sex or sexual activities are difficult to handle especially if you have the means and opportune time to do so. I am not to disagree. I knew the terrain as I was once a young person not so long ago. In my classes, the issue of “control” is always a controversial area of discussion.
How do we handle our sexual urges? Or, not getting involved in drugs so no needles of any sort are exchanged? What are the possible simple and not-so-simple explanations why drug addicts share needles? If some people cannot control the expressions of their sexual urges, what alternative actions do we have to protect them and their loved ones? If preachers stand on their pulpits and claim that HIV-Aids is a punishment of God to a sinful generation, what will be its possible effects towards people, especially the victims of the virus? Are there creative ways by which these sexual urges can be acceptably channeled without harm to anyone?
My students know the answers. If we are serious in stopping the spread of HIV infections, as is happening right now among call center agents, we should have continuing dialogues and discussions with them. I mean this, not in superficial manner but in serious, creative and with utmost concern ways. The virus despite its inhumanity because it kills has some human and humane issues for consideration that we cannot just dismiss with our perceived moral superiority.
True, giving condoms are not enough to stop the spread of HIV, as this is like giving a juvenile the gun, the weapon to fight without ever understanding the deeper meanings of using or not using the tools. However, slamming the doors to the young with our moral supremacy does not answer the problem either. Parents who have children know this. Perhaps, the Bishops should be raising their own children to fully understand the context.
Discussions, dialogues and constant communication are not one shot deals. We all know this. The pulpits, the classrooms, the call center areas, and yes our homes are avenues by which we can all have the opportunity to discuss the finer issues of HIV infection. Not only about how this virus is spread but even some of the whys and why not of our most private lives.
Health Secretary why-now-only Esperanza Cabral put the condom distribution in context: HIV-Aids is an “epidemic, not just a scare.” Consider the alarming facts: There are at least four persons diagnosed with HIV every single day. This is very far from the one case daily in previous years. At the end of the 2009, there were 4,400 known cases. Yes, Deejay, known cases only. By the end of this year, DOH is making a conservative estimate of 8,800 new cases. If we do not halt this trend, we are looking at about 34,400 new cases by the end of 2011.
Is it immoral to distribute condoms? We should also ask: Is it immoral to stop deaths when we have the means and wherewithal to do so? Indeed, it is the height of fallacy to think that condoms will stop HIV infection. No, no. However, we should not also be blind to the idea that this formula is the most practical at the moment, given that not all people are susceptible to the moral-sync, celibate-only, and one-partner-only mindset. Not all people are like some Bishops who can survive a sexless life.
In my Socio-Anthropology classes, my students and I get to navigate the finer issues (stigma attached to people living with HIV-Aids, illegal drug use, truths and myths about the virus, risky sexual behaviors, handling sexual concerns, morality and sexuality, etc.) surrounding HIV-Aids. However, my students are honest enough to admit that sex or sexual activities are difficult to handle especially if you have the means and opportune time to do so. I am not to disagree. I knew the terrain as I was once a young person not so long ago. In my classes, the issue of “control” is always a controversial area of discussion.
How do we handle our sexual urges? Or, not getting involved in drugs so no needles of any sort are exchanged? What are the possible simple and not-so-simple explanations why drug addicts share needles? If some people cannot control the expressions of their sexual urges, what alternative actions do we have to protect them and their loved ones? If preachers stand on their pulpits and claim that HIV-Aids is a punishment of God to a sinful generation, what will be its possible effects towards people, especially the victims of the virus? Are there creative ways by which these sexual urges can be acceptably channeled without harm to anyone?
My students know the answers. If we are serious in stopping the spread of HIV infections, as is happening right now among call center agents, we should have continuing dialogues and discussions with them. I mean this, not in superficial manner but in serious, creative and with utmost concern ways. The virus despite its inhumanity because it kills has some human and humane issues for consideration that we cannot just dismiss with our perceived moral superiority.
True, giving condoms are not enough to stop the spread of HIV, as this is like giving a juvenile the gun, the weapon to fight without ever understanding the deeper meanings of using or not using the tools. However, slamming the doors to the young with our moral supremacy does not answer the problem either. Parents who have children know this. Perhaps, the Bishops should be raising their own children to fully understand the context.
Discussions, dialogues and constant communication are not one shot deals. We all know this. The pulpits, the classrooms, the call center areas, and yes our homes are avenues by which we can all have the opportunity to discuss the finer issues of HIV infection. Not only about how this virus is spread but even some of the whys and why not of our most private lives.
Yes, HIV- Aids can spin around moral issues and let the moral gurus hark on this. Yet, HIV-Aids is also a health issue and let the health practitioners provide solutions as they find best given their expertise, and given the call of the times.
In the meantime, pleaaasssse naman allow the health practitioners to distribute condoms. If, by any chance, you happen to be with your children when these health practitioners are distributing condoms, don’t forget to start the necessary dialogue.
