From: tim@kudzu.viewlogic.com (Tim Foster)
Subject: Re: Ignorant (was Re: Selfish)
Originator: tim@kudzu
Organization: Viewlogic Systems, Inc.
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 15:24:37 GMT


In article <5873@news.duke.edu>, radkel@canctr.mc.duke.edu (R.CLOUGH) writes:
|> In article <1992Oct06.175815.6496@brtph560.bnr.ca>, markham@brtph600.bnr.ca (Andrew Markham P205) writes:
|> 
|> >Shows you know a little something.  I figured you were going to say that
|> >Magic might pass it to Isiah when they kiss cheeks at mid-court.  You make
|> >it sound like HIV blood is like acid.
|> 
|> This is really an excellent point.  The chances of contracting the virus
|> through this sort of contact are really slim.  The NBA players that this
|> other fellow is worried about are at a far greater risk in their bedroom than
|> on the court.

Although the chances are what you call "slim", it has been confirmed
to have happened in a professional soccer game before (see Russ Smith's
post).

As far as the NBA players and their bedrooms, I would agree with you.
However, the difference is that they have control over with whom they
they choose to fool around.  Big difference.

|> >Sure it's possible.  It's also possible that 50 other NBAers would test 
|> >HIV positive, so should we then test them all and toss out everyone who
|> >comes up positive?  I think not.
|> 
|> This is another good point, and one that raises an interesting question.
|> Magic discovered that he was HIV + because he took the test while applying
|> for a new insurance policy, as I recall.  I would imagine that other players
|> would have similar policies, and thus, similar tests.  Yet Magic is the only
|> player that tested positive.  This means that either the other players (and I
|> mean this in both senses) in the league are all lucky, or some might have
|> withheld the information.  Of course, considering how long the disease can
|> incubate, who really knows for sure? I'm just curious to see if there were
|> any quiet, semi-mysterious retirings in the last few years.  After all, who's
|> really going to know you have it unless you tell everyone?

Yes, it is a good point.  But, it has nothing to do with the original
argument because I never suggested that HIV+ players should be tossed
out.

|> >It's also positive that someone you work with might have AIDS, and might
|> >bump into you coming around the corner.  You might cut him with a fingernail
|> >and then accidentally contract AIDS.  LET'S QUARANTINE THEM ALL!!!!!!
|> 
|> Another good point.  NC's removal of state-funded confidential AIDS testing
|> is disturbing.

Huh?

|> >Magic and all others that have tested HIV positive should live a secluded life
|> >behind closed doors, just to make sure that no freak accident ever occurs that
|> >could jepordize anyone else's livelihood.  Magic is just trying to live like 
|> >a normal person, which he is.
|> 
|> Agreed.  Though some have questioned his validity as a role model to kids 
|> (hey, if he can still play, then it's not so bad), I think he's an even
|> better shining example to those who are HIV +.  Magic shows in a high-profile
|> way that contracting the virus is not the end of your life.  AIDS is now
|> treated in the same way that cancer once was; people who got it were once
|> treated as outcasts.  Let's hope this trend ends.

Magic can be a positive role model for kids without having to set 
foot on the court again.  His legend is solidified.

I agree with you that AIDs victims are sometimes treated as outcasts,
but it is difficult to compare it to cancer.  Cancer is not a virus,
so there should be absolutely no reason to be afraid of contact with
a cancer victim.  AIDs is different because there is always a chance,
ever how slim.  I can understand some amount of fear, but we must 
learn how to get over that fear so as not treat AIDs victims as 
outcasts.

|>   (see, Andrew, Duke and Carolina fans can agree sometimes!)
|> --Rob Clough 

Yeah, but never with a State fan. :-)
-- 

Tim Foster 
E-mail: tfoster@viewlogic.com 
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.pro