Proposition 64: AIDS Initiative

Your editorial (Oct. 23), “Surgeon General’s Report,” has only influenced me more in realizing the irrationality and inappropriateness of Proposition 64.

Proposition 64 calls for the reporting of those who are carriers of the AIDS virus. And yet, there is no test to make this determination available. Also, Proposition 64 would result in expanding testing programs for the AIDS virus, imposing isolation or quarantine of persons who have the disease and excluding persons infected with the AIDS virus from school.

This will undoubtedly cause fear and panic in everyone. Who in their right mind would want to be locked away from civilization? I would definitely not want to be tested for AIDS due to fear itself. And I’m sure there are millions out there who share the same feeling.

The surgeon general, C. Everett Koop, has concluded that “AIDS is not passed by casual, non-sexual contact.” What is the purpose of quarantining? For some reason, the politicians cannot get this fact through their heads. The political extremists are trying to conduct this health issue when it should be dealt with by the medical profession. Our medical professionals are the ones we rely upon for AIDS research.

I am aware that AIDS is a growing health problem and I am very afraid of the disease, but Proposition 64 will only make matters worse.

I profoundly agree with Koop that sex education and awareness remain the only tools against AIDS until a vaccine or cure is discovered, and that may very well be for a very long time.

SUSAN GOHATA

Northridge