First HIV+ Visitor Enters Country

[+ Lucky]

Thousands fled the airport and immigration officers wore space suits as the first openly HIV positive visitor to the United States entered the country yesterday. The fears of being infected were overwhelming, according to bystanders brave enough to stay and watch the entry.

The Dutch man who entered:

 

http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2010/01/08/alg_ruland.jpg

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2010/01/08/2010-01-08_1st_hivpositive_visitor_let_in.html#ixzz0c2gmacC5

 

The fear of the Dutchman was apparently unfounded, as he has been entering the country illegally all the time:

 

"Ruland said he used to frequently travel to the U.S. before the ban, but had to lie, "like everyone else."

"I know a lot of people who were deported when they got caught - deported for life," Ruland said. "I had to put my medicine in different containers and put someone else's name on them, just in case I got caught."

 

As of today, all guards had returned to duty at the airport, and life went on. Lying to immigration officers was no longer necessary.

[seeker630]

How unbelievably sad...

 

and shameful that it this only happened now.

 

Lucky, thanks for sharing. How much would we miss without you!

[+ Lucky]

How much would you miss without me?

Let me count the ways!

[Guest DuchessIvanaKizznhugg]

The sad thing, unfortunately, is to read the comments posted with the article.

Sheesh......still such a long way to go.

[rvwnsd]

The sad thing, unfortunately, is to read the comments posted with the article.

Sheesh......still such a long way to go.[/color][/size]

 

Even sadder is that many people with ridiculous ideas about how HIV is transmitted go to work and fly on planes when they have contagious diseases such as flu and the common cold. I'm not HIV+ but I am asthmatic. When a co-worker comes to work ill I brace myself. Almost every time, I get sick and wind up at the doctor's office with either bronchitis, pneumonia or sinusitis. Last year I was sick for 4 months and almost wound up in the hospital. To date, none of my HIV+ friends have transmitted the virus to me.

[+ Oliver]

... many people ... fly on planes when they have contagious diseases such as flu and the common cold ...

 

Ah yes. I returned from Southern California on Tuesday (after attending the Rose Bowl - GO BUCKS). When I got on the plane at noon I did not have a cold. When I got off the plane that evening here in Columbus, I had a cold! I've been wishing I could remove my head and just leave it somewhere since. It had to be the plane!

[rvwnsd]

Ah yes. I returned from Southern California on Tuesday (after attending the Rose Bowl - GO BUCKS). When I got on the plane at noon I did not have a cold. When I got off the plane that evening here in Columbus, I had a cold! I've been wishing I could remove my head and just leave it somewhere since. It had to be the plane!

 

It usually takes more than a few hours for a cold to develop, so you probably caught it from someone on the way to So Cal.

[Guest greatness]

Aww

 

They are cute together.