FREE HIV SCREENINGS AVAILABLE AT AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL – STAUNTON NEWS LEADER
By maureen at 19 September, 2010, 11:12 pm
STAUNTON — As the African-American Heritage Festival reached full pitch Saturday afternoon, the Rev. Michael Turner of Ebenezer Baptist Church stood to the side, watchful quietly for the formula of his giveaway HIV test.
Turner wasn’t disturbed about it; he pronounced he didn’t vaunt any of the usual risk factors for infection. Still, he as well as alternative volunteers during the legal holiday hoped people during the legal holiday competence cruise being tested themselves, in any case of their passionate story or drug use.
“People have been you do what seems normal for their theatre of life. We all do things you shouldn’t do,” pronounced Turner, adding which bringing the contention about HIV contrast to the forefront competence save lives.
“There’s the opening in the community. People have been fearful to speak about it. They’re fearful to confess which it exists, as well as people have been failing since of it, since there’s the miss of communication,” Turner added.
Turner common an informational list during the legal holiday with J Workman-Purvine, who functions as the advisor during the Valley Community Services Board as well as leads HIV/AIDS recognition precision between staff as well as piece abuse groups there. Its list saw reduction feet trade than the legal holiday booths where colourful African clothe was sole or the tent where live song played.
Still, Festival President LaLaura Wayland pronounced she was blissful the volunteers were there.
“As you know, HIV is tall between African-Americans,” Wayland said. “Whatever you can do to help, we’re peaceful to do.”
Three in 5 Virginians newly putrescent with HIV have been African-American, according to the Virginia Department of Health. In 2009, 21,000 Virginians were well known to be vital with HIV/AIDS. VDH estimates which half have been not reception care, as well as 4,500 do not know they have been infected.
On Workman-Purvine’s list were fliers temperament HIV interpretation as well as report about where to get tested, pamphlets dispelling misconceptions about the incorrigible though increasingly treatable mildew as well as brochures about how to scrupulously make make use of of the condom.
Workman-Purvine, who formerly destined the United Community AIDS Network in Olympia, Wash., pronounced the tarnish surrounding HIV/AIDS mostly intimidates as well as prevents people from removing tested, even when early showing as well as diagnosis can meant the longer, healthier hold up as well as reserve for others.
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