Global panic, fear and hysteria

 

The HIV virus was discovered almost 40 years ago and the fear that it created then still lingers today especially as an HIV vaccine and cure remain elusive. Sadly, the world is, yet again, battling a relatively new pandemic, Covid-19, and, as not much is known about the nature of the SARS-COV-2 virus, the uncertainty and global panic it continues to generate is eerily reminiscent of the early years of the HIV epidemic.

Unlike HIV which, was, initially, ignored by the Reagan administration and wrongly labelled the “gay plague” and Gay-Related Immune Deficiency (GRID), Cov-2 received immediate attention: governments imposed quarantines, nationwide lockdowns and curfews and closed borders in order keep the virus out of their countries. In no time, the novel virus brought the world to a standstill.

In spite of all the measures taken, nations soon began to grapple with community transmission. However, responses were immediate: they built emergency hospitals in days and transformed large-scale public venues into isolation centres. Additionally, financial and other resources were swiftly diverted to tackle the pandemic with other chronic and life-threatening illnesses, including HIV, relegated to the back burner.

Spot the similarities
Does Covid-19 bear any similarities to the two most recent human corona virus outbreaks- SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome – 2002 to 2004) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory syndrome) which first appeared in 2012? More importantly, how does the novel virus compare to HIV, another virus that created mass hysteria in the early 80s and what lessons have we learnt from the HIV/AIDS epidemic that we can effectively implement to fight coronavirus? In this issue, we seek to examine the similarities between Cov-2 and HIV.

Allow me to state from the onset that the Cov-2 and HIV are very different in that “[t]hey are transmitted differently. They replicate differently. They cause disease differently” . Nonetheless, some parallels can be drawn from the world’s experience of both.

The COV-2 virus causes Covid-19. Just like HIV which causes AIDS, it appeared suddenly and spread rapidly all over the world. The availability, affordability and reliability of testing, crucial to the control of any virus spread, was a serious challenge when AIDS first emerged. That challenge has, again, resurfaced as countries struggle to increase Covid-19 testing capacity.

The mass panic, virus-related stigma, misinformation, discriminatory behaviours associated with both are all too familiar: As Covid-19 is still a very new, little understood disease, infodemics continue to fuel public fear and suspicion with misinformation on social media further worsening the confusion. Sadly, almost forty years after HIV reared its ugly head, public health specialist continue to burst myths and misconception, dispel ignorance and misinformation about the virus. And, one must not fail to mention the negative effects of the various conspiracy theories linked to both viruses.

The stigma associated with infectious diseases poses a huge challenge to behavior change, essential to the prevention of the spread of both viruses, and this cannot be ignored. The extreme stigma that the people who contracted HIV in the 80s experienced remains fresh in the memories of long-term HIV survivors especially as, four decades later, HIV-related stigma remains highly prevalent across the globe. Covid-19-related stigma is not that extreme; however, in some parts of the world, those who have the disease as well as those who have recovered from it experience shame and stigma. And just as is the case with HIV, the fear of shame and stigma prevents some people from seeking medical help.

And let’s not forget the name, blame and shame game: in the 80s, gay men and Haitians were blamed for spreading HIV. Today, people of Asian descent, particularly the Chinese, have experienced both physical and verbal attacks because Cov-2 “originated” from China. The world heard the American President, Donald Trump, repeatedly refer to the virus as the “Chinese virus” or “Kung flu” during press conferences.

The outbreak of both viruses uncovered cracks in health systems, global and national leadership challenges as well as disturbing corrupt practices, all of which are harmful to public health.

COVID-19: a rights, social and economic crisis
Corona virus, just like HIV, has further exposed entrenched inequalities and injustices in our countries as both disproportionately affect the vulnerable and marginalized. Key populations remain vulnerable to HIV just like racial and ethnic minorities are at increased risks of getting Covid-19 or becoming serious ill when infected with the virus. Decades of work on HIV has shown that an intersectoral, rights and evidenced-based approach is required to beat pandemics. HIV has made a lot of progress: effective treatment exists, transmission risks and the effects of the social determinants of health are well understood. The same cannot be said for Covid-19, a very new disease.

As we cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past, we must swiftly address all forms of inequalities, injustices and discrimination populations vulnerable to HIV and, now, Covid-19 experience. These populations must be identified; responses must be designed to ensure they are well protected, respond and recover better from pandemics.

Let us Leave no one behind. Join hands we us as PositivelySharing as we support the vulnerable Living with HIV.

[1] This HIV/AIDS Specialist Explains Its Similarities — And Differences — To COVID-19; ^{https://www.forbes.com/sites/coronavirusfrontlines/2020/04/22/this-hivaids-specialist-explains-its-similarities—and-differences—to-covid-19/#512dfd3549f8}