State of Emergency Declared Over HIV Outbreak

[William769]

Indiana Governor Mike Pence has declared a state of emergency amidst the worst HIV outbreak in the state’s history. Thursday, March 26, Pence issued an official order declaring a public health emergency for Scott County, which has had 79 confirmed cases of HIV since mid-December. (The county usually averages no more than six new cases a year.)

"Scott County is facing an epidemic of HIV,” Pence said in a press release. “But this is not a Scott County problem; this is an Indiana problem."

Some residents of the hard-hit county disagree, arguing the area’s problems have been long ignored. (Read expert analysis on what has contributed to this crisis here.) Austin, Indiana, may be the biggest city in the state's southeastern county, but the town of 4,270 doesn’t even have a grocery store, much less a rehabilitation facility or HIV testing facility.

“Boarded-up windows decorate nearby houses," says The Chicago Tribune, describing the town. "Metal cages surround air conditioners to bar people from stealing parts to scrap for change…. Discarded syringes lie on the side of the road in Austin — evidence of the addiction that grips the city.”

http://www.hivplusmag.com/stigma/2015/03/29/state-emergency-declared-over-hiv-outbreak

But it seems the Religious freedom AKA Anti LGBT legislation is more important. WTG Governor Pence!

[drray23]

1. the real issue

is that Pence signed a law stopping the program of needle exchanges. So now, drug users share needles and infect each other. It is so bad that he reluctantly agreed to lift that ban for a month. Its another instance of stupid RW policies that backfires.

I heard that on npr the other day. A health worker was being interviewed and was lamenting about this policy.

also, directly from this article:

The CDC has also issued recommendations, which include a public awareness campaign focused on needle disposal and safe sex, a short-term needle exchange program, and providing access to addiction services, HIV testing, and treatment.

Republican Governor Pence has already begun implementing some of those suggestions, including authorizing a temporary needle exchange program, despite having previously been opposed to such interventions.

[William769]

2. Having to travel to another county for HIV testing doesn't help either.

Just goes to show you how he handles his State. Poorly, very poorly.

[smirkymonkey]

3. It seems like he never does the right thing for the state until

his policies blow up in his face. Then he has to backpedal for damage control.

[Cal Carpenter]

4. Holy shit. That's pretty clear then, why it is happening.

Needle exchange is one of the most straightforward and effective (and cheap!) public health programs there are. Anyone who opposes needle exchange cannot claim to give half a shit about the common good.

Needle exchange should not controversial. This is yet another sign of how off-track our political/legislative system is, and lives are at risk because of it.

[salin]

5. I wrote about this the other day.

This gov. has got to go. Disregard for everyone except those tea partiers who might donate to Pence for President! (Koch etal)

My head has been exploding for a long time.

[William769]

6. I am sorry I missed that.

Would love a link when you get a chance.

[salin]

7. I think I juxtaposed the two stories

I hadn't heard about the epidemic until earlier this week (NPR) - the amount of time it took to get attention is tragic and eerily reminiscent of several decades ago. HELLO!!!! We have known the best way to address this - but when pandering to the religious right in this state - public health gets thrown out the window.


I think Pence signed an order to start the Needle Exchange the day before he signed the RFA.

The following day I read his local reaction (to the Indystar) to the backlash to the RFA law where he wrote that he was calling for legislative review (I think you saw my post on that little bit of ridiculousness.) Very little coverage of the Needle Exchange - let alone his role in preventing such a program in the past.

I would have to hunt back to find where I referred to it - I may have over-spoke - I think I posted on a thread rather than started an OP. I have to step away for a while - but when I come back I can try to find it.

FWISW, I am heartened by the dramatically growing back lash that is growing WITHIN the state.

[salin]

10. found it - it was a passing commentary to another Hoosier.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6426185

I should have added a link. I think I first heard about the story (and I pay attention - there was so little regard for the brewing crisis, that it wasn't widely reported until, I believe, early last week.)

So I just did, what I should have done earlier. Google news search - most items date back to the 26th. Example http://www.whas11.com/story/news/local/indiana/2015/03/23/cdc-moves-in-as-s-indiana-hiv-cases-skyrocket/70352624/

and http://www.tribstar.com/news/local_news/pence-resists-expanding-needle-exchange-for-hiv-outbreak/article_267a026b-3f78-5843-b0b0-ad7fcad3e412.html

From what I could find there has been an escalating problem for months - the Governor drug his feet to act (being against needle exchanges) - and finally at the urging of a conservative state senator (the epidemic is in his district) he (Pence) issued a 30 day executive order lifting the ban.

Can I just say - it is a crappy time to be a Hoosier!

[Bluenorthwest]

8. Pence has long opposed needle exchange programs. This outbreak is due to Republican policy.

It's just disgusting. How can any Indiana resident look at this and consider their State to be well run?

[Cal Carpenter]

9. Needle exchange should not be politicized. It is a simple matter of public health.

This stuff pisses me off so bad.

And I used your post as an excuse to kick this thread because more people need to see it.

[Trillo]

11. In the late 70s, AIDS was thought to be a homosexual disease,

according to newspaper articles I read at the time.

Every major natural disaster is still accompanied by sermons from pulpits asserting that the disaster is God's punishment for unchristian sexual activity. Many senior Churchmen have declared as a fact that the AIDS epidemic is a punishment from God for homosexual activity among men.