Uncle Sam Want U, 2 Get Tested!

The Saga Continues…

Uncle Sam Want U 2 Get Tested!

By Nevin Jefferson

It was bad enough when Uncle Sam wanted you to fight in a war for our country. I remember when he wanted me for the Viet Nam War. At the time, I thought Viet Nam was a resort on a tropical island. I didn't read or watch the news back then and I still don't today. It was my mother who informed me of the truth when I got a letter from the Draft Board. Now Uncle Sam wants you to get tested annually for HIV and STD's. Shows how much he knows, the window these days is 3 months for the sexually active person. The very sexually active person have a standing appointment at the Free Clinic. And why the sudden concern? Well gang, in the State of Washington alone doctors went from the standard six at the most new cases to an overwhelming 50+. The ages ranged from 20-52 with the excuses all being the same in each range. They didn’t know any better at the time and the subject of one’s HIV status or the use of condoms never came up for discussion. The glass casing has been broken with the panic button being pushed by Uncle Sam. Things are out of control! The Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidelines to doctors to screen their gay and bisexual patients for HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Not to mention to vaccinate them against hepatitis A and B. It seems that syphilis reached record lows except among gay men. Pity! A top comes down with all of the symptoms of syphilis in two days with the bottom not having one symptom or clue that they’ve been infected with a disease. The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association welcome this as positive approach to the problem of unsafe sex gone to hell. They issued their own set of guidelines to physicians while encouraging them to be more specific in their questioning of their patient's sexual behavior. They think that communicating sexual risks is difficult and could be more difficult if a sugar coated clinical environment isn't established. Being in a clinical environment should remind one that they are responsible for their actions. There are consequences involved in every action of the given situation. Dealing with the reality isn’t nice, it’s frightening, traumatic, and an anxiety attack around the corner. The clinical environment can be as nice as it can get including serving tea. But, the reality of it all is still harsh. Communicating sexual risks is like talking to a brick wall because people think that they're invincible and it isn't their problem. Some of the younger generation blames the older generation for Aids because they were whores in their day. They honestly believe that the Baby Boomers went Bust and turned to a life of Slut. And to be really vicious about it, the Boomers brought on a deadly virus to really shake things up. Today's youth also got it inside their heads that if they sleep in their same age range they'll be good to go sexually. No HIV or STD worries in their book. And they get extremely angry when this thought process becomes an HIV+ status or a STD like Herpes that refuses to go away. Some of the older generation feels that if a person looks healthy then it's perfectly safe to screw them. Appearances can be deceiving which they tend to find out later in their doctor's office when the news of gloom comes their way. So which generation makes more sense? Who's easier to talk sense to? It's extremely hard to advocate for Aids Awareness when people turn up their noses up at you while handing out condoms and encouraging safe and safer sex. Some people have the nerve to get offended with an above it all attitude when you had them a safe sex packet. They either slap it out of your hand or throw it on the floor in disgust after taking it. Some have the gall to tell you; “I don’t have any need for this!” Or some take the free condoms made available with no intentions of using them what so ever. I should know because I passed out a slew of them over the years and was rather appalled by this behavior. Actually I was pissed beyond belief! If I wasn't a born again Christian, it would have been insults and ass kicking time at the Saloon! Instead, I ate crow and told them that I was trying to prevent them from going what I’m going through. Once they got wind of the fact that I’m HIV+, they’re were out of there like bats out of hell. It takes all types to make the world a strange and screwed up place! Uncle Sam wants you to get tested, but at the same time Aids Programs and Medical benefits are a BIG part of his Budget cuts. Good old Uncle Sam is trying to make it impossible for one to get proper healthcare. Uncle Sam’s niece’s and nephews in Olympia want to put stipulations on viral drugs that they may or may not pay for. With some they’re planning a co-pay plan for people who don’t have a dime left after their Disability or Social Security check. When I was in Olympia last year for Aids Awareness and Programs, I got hit with the education and transportation issue. Teachers got raked over the coals with the initiative recently voted in, being voted out. There are talk of layoffs and larger class sizes which defeats the whole purpose of the issue. Transportation is still congested with road repairs being a joke. The State also had a 1.6 billion surplus that kept depleting throughout the day as I talked to Uncle Sam’s relatives. Yes, girls and studs Uncle Sam is getting ready to screw you without a kiss. Without medications that one needs to stay healthy and active the odds are greatly against them. You’ve basically being sent off to slaughter with the Butcher being none other than Uncle Sam himself. At the same time Insurance Companies will be given the option of what viral drugs they’ll pay for and which ones they won’t. Some Insurance companies already have a limit of a six thousand medical coverage with the balance falling on the insured. Two of the six of my medications cost more than this by themselves. Yes, I can see myself robbing a pharmacy! It’s all about survival and I will survive! Not to worry gang, The Aids Clinical Trail Unit has a program for newly infected people. You’ll be put on a drug regime with a study drug, get regular check-ups, and have the best medical experts caring for you. They also have programs for those of failed treatments and who have grown resistance with mutation. It’s free! All you have to do is pay the simple price of participating and being responsible for yourself. You’ll get your meds at no cost for two years with the antics of Uncle Sam and Insurance Companies being far removed from you. For now! I liked Uncle Sam better when he was trying to kill me off in a war. Wars are the best thing for the economical problems and the unemployment rate is low. Stocks are at their best interests and life goes on in Corporate America. Now, Uncle Sam is trying to legally kill us off with Budget Cuts and cutting Insurance Companies slack. Ain’t that America!

© Nevin Jefferson, All Rights Reserved