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June 24, 2006

Tending the Sheep

Like a benevolent and protective shepherd, the District of Columbia wants to test all of its sheep for HIV. And just why does the DC mini-state want this information about all city residents age 14 through 64? Why for their own good of course! How can you naysayers and “libertarians” ask such a question?

"The citywide campaign,” says the Washington Post, “which appears to be unprecedented in its breadth, will target 400,000 men, women and teenagers and encourage them to learn their HIV status through an oral swab that delivers results in 20 minutes.

Organizers want the rapid test to become as common a part of any medical exam as blood-pressure monitoring or a cholesterol check. The hope is that the results, especially if positive, would influence a person's sexual behavior and motivate him or her to seek treatment.”

Being the ever-cynical sort that I am, I tend to doubt that this big expensive “Get Tested!” campaign will make very much difference for the overall public’s health. As with alcohol, drug, or tabacco usage or other risky forms of personal behavior the people who care about their health and have enough concern for the wellbeing and health of the people around them already take care of this aspect of their personal health. And the irresponsible and feckless couldn’t care less what they have and who they might spread it to.

What’s far more likely here is that some well connected people are trying to make some dough off the DC government through service and consulting contracts or as vendors. But I could be wrong and all the folks pushing for this may have wonderful and benevolent motives for it all. But I doubt it.

Posted by Ali Massoud at June 24, 2006 08:09 AM

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Posted by: D10DEE at June 29, 2006 06:00 PM

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