World AIDS came and went this weekend without much fanfare.
While AIDS may not kill as many people as it once did due to the advances in medicine, millions of individuals around the world have refused to listen to the generational warnings to protect themselves against the HIV virus.
The Floridian recently spoke to one 30-something gay man who ignorantly said that he “didn’t have to worry about dying because of all the cocktails” out there that would keep him alive “if” he contracted HIV.
Unfortunately, this is the mindset that many young people around the world have.
HIV still kills, and more and more people are contracting it because they feel the disease isn’t as deadly as if once was.
Both Republican and Democratic politicians called attention to the disease this weekend, including President Donald Trump who expressed his support for those individuals currently living with HIV/AIDS and reaffirmed his and First Lady Melania Trump’s “commitment to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic.”
“On World AIDS Day, The First Lady and I express our support for those living with HIV/AIDS and mourn the lives lost. We reaffirm our commitment to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic,” stated Trump “In America, community by community where we will eradicate AIDS in 10 years, program already started. American leadership has proven that together we can save lives.
President Trump’s potential 2020 presidential opponent, vice president Joe Biden, also expressed his thoughts about combatting HIV/AIDS.
“Over the last 30 years, the fight against #HIV has taught us to be big-hearted; to follow the science; to treat everyone with dignity and respect, and to protect the human right of all who walk the planet.”
Florida Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D) was more poignant in her remarks, reminding followers that HIV/AIDS is currently a “crisis,” and not just some “disease of the past.”
AIDS isn’t a disease of the past, it’s a crisis now. This #WorldAIDSDay, we remember those who have been impacted by this terrible epidemic and recommit to supporting programs like @PEPFAR & the @GlobalFund that will help end AIDS once and for all. pic.twitter.com/r4evcmqTUj
— Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (@RepDMP) December 1, 2019