Public Officials Fail to Understand AIDS Crisis

From reports in the news media to incredibly cruel jokes, the subject of AIDS is much discussed these days. But judging by the actions taken so far by local government, public officials in the San Diego area do not yet understand the seriousness of the crisis.

To place the situation in quick perspective: in 1981 two cases of AIDS, were diagnosed here; in 1982, four; in 1983, 20; in 1984, 41; and so far this year doctors say cases are being discovered at a pace of 60 to 70 for the year. Including people who were diagnosed with the disease elsewhere before coming to San Diego County, 88 AIDS patients are known to have died. None of the others is expected to survive the disease, acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

If some mysterious ailment were striking down school children at this rate, the whole community would be pressuring government officials and health professionals to do all that they could to help the victims. One can only imagine the amount of money that would be raised through private gifts. In short, everyone would rally around those afflicted with whatever resources and help could be brought to bear.

AIDS is different, of course, because it is perceived to be an illness of gay men and intravenous drug users. One doesn’t think of innocent children or adults being infected with AIDS but rather those who put themselves at risk because of life styles that are at best controversial and outside society’s mainstream. But even if that were--and it’s not-- justification to ignore the AIDS epidemic as a genuine public health emergency, it is now time to move beyond that way of thinking.

Lori Thompson, 11, was neither a male homosexual nor a drug abuser. She was a sick little girl who needed frequent blood transfusions, and because of that she got AIDS. She is one of three San Diego County AIDs victims to die who do not fit the normal patterns. Health professionals fear there will be many others like them as the disease spreads among heterosexuals as well as homosexuals.

In San Diego County, local government’s response to the crisis can only be characterized as pathetic. Mayor Roger Hedgecock, who has had strong support within the gay community, named an AIDS task force. But the city has given the group no staff support, no budget, not even use of a postage meter or copying machine.

County government, which has responsibility for public health here, has provided--after considerable debate--a rent-free building for the AIDS Project, a non-governmental organization that provides psychological and other support for AIDS victims and their families. The future of that building at Vauclain Point is in doubt, however, as the county has wanted to sell it to the city. The county also has operated a blood testing program for people who fear they have been exposed to AIDS and for doctors and hospitals.

And, the Board of Supervisors, at the request of Supervisor Susan Golding, recently agreed to have a conference on AIDS to discuss its responsibilities and future actions. In all, it’s not a record to be proud of.

The county should be playing the lead role, and among the steps it should take are:

- Establishing with the city and supporting a meaningful AIDS task force that not only looks at the medical aspects of the disease but at the comprehensive assistance victims needs.

- Assuring the AIDS project it will be allowed to remain at the Vauclain Point facility or will be given other rent-free space.

- Exploring the establishment of a facility for the long-term care of AIDS patients. Currently, no San Diego County nursing homes will take AIDS patients, meaning that beds in acute care hospitals are being filled unnecessarily by those victims who do not have family or others to care for them at home.

- Offering whatever assistance it can to the UC San Diego Medical Center, whose budget and medical and nursing staffs have borne the pressure of dealing with AIDS patients.

So far, the UCSD Medical Center and the gay community--which was in the forefront of raising more than $100,000 last year to assist victims--have been the leaders in the community’s response to the AIDS problem. It’s time for local government to assume a much more aggressive role. And it’s time for those in government and in the public to realize that their response to the AIDS menace cannot be confused with whatever attitudes they might hold about the homosexual life style. It is a public health menace that threatens us all.