Funny--but a classic case of AIPS, and shows not only excessive fear but real lack of knowledge about AIDS.

The main ways AIDS is transmitted is through bodily fluids or blood. The virus must be in the wet mucus membrane to exist, otherwise it will quickly die. In other words, unless one engages in sex with or contacts the blood of a carrier, in other activities like talking, coughing, hugging, swimming, eating or working together . . . one can't get the virus. It's not like dengue fever, mainly carried by mosquitoes.

The logic is simple. But there are many in the ROC whose understanding is unclear or who refuse to believe. Recently, the professors in a department at a national university signed a letter asking the appropriate agencies to release the names of carriers "to protect the honor of the school" and "make it easy to take appropriate responsive measures." This illustrates a special characteristic of Asian AIDS--reluctance to be open about sex and strong moral condemnation of homosexuality.

According to a recent report in Hong Kong's South China Morning Post, the biggest problem in AIDS prevention in Asia is ascertaining how many carriers there really are. The World Health Organization uses the ratio of 10 carriers per identified victim based on U.S. records and estimates the figure to be somewhere around 26,000. But Asia, which is so culturally different, probably has a higher ratio.

In mainland China, for example, they have still not conducted blood tests, and really have no knowledge about the development of the problems of homosexuality, bisexuality, and prostitution. Says one specialist from San Francisco who advised the mainland, "Homosexuality is strictly prohibited there. They prefer to believe that such things don't exist in their society."

This case is not unusual in Asia. The main preventive attitude is "Don't let the barbarians past the Great Wall." Foreigners are tested and expelled if positive; those wishing to come for work or study must be tested for AIDS in their home country first.

But AIDS isn't just brought in from abroad anymore. If we imagine the human body's immune system as like a stout Great Wall, helping us resist the entry of disease, then what's most frightening about AIDS is that it doesn't want to break through "into the country"; its object of destruction is the wall itself. Similarly, the Great Wall of morals and ethics which has bound together the societies of the East is now facing the same crisis.

Under a strong moral imperative, countries want "image," schools want "honor," families want "face." Just think, with the "high-risk groups" facing the threat of losing their life, if they also face losing their places in school, their jobs, social status, the trust of their families . . . in this kind of no-win situation, who has enough courage to be tested?

And who has a positive motive to be willing to change lifestyles to put off getting sick?

"If we don't have an attitude of protection and acceptance and protect the privacy of victims to deal with the situation, and only judge from a moral perspective and hurt them," says Edwin H. Yen of National Taiwan Normal University, "then in the end we will certainly be the ones hurt."

Already seven years has passed since the announcement of the first case in the U.S. Western countries have already moved from the fear and concern of the early period to rationality, moderation, protection, and even a thorough change of sexual habits. In fact, the Asian countries have had an excellent chance to absorb the lessons of the Western experience. But as the SCMP describes it, "They'd prefer to bury their heads in the sand." Its not yet too late, and there is much to learn. The place to start is dispelling "AIPS" and to rationally recognize the methods of transmission and understand the latest situation.

One AIDS specialist in the ROC was asked, "Can I get AIDS from the dentist?" He responded, "Yes!" And added quickly: only if the dentist is a carrier and bites you!

Of course, the Department of Health has already ordered dental clinics to thoroughly disinfect machinery to avoid that "what if . . ." possibility. This story tells us not to be frightened by shadows. As for what "reactive measures" the ordinary person can take if a carrier appears in your school or office--just be sure that person doesn't pretend to be behaving and then run up and bite you!

With the rapid rise of AIDS sufferers and carriers, no longer are there isolated "high-risk groups", emphasizes Chuang Cho-yen, Convener of the AIDS Prevention Committee of the Department of Health, there is only "high-risk behavior." One can't feel safe just because one doesn't belong to a high-risk group.

From the other side, the department cannot limit educational work to the high-risk groups. It would be like the case of teaching married women about birth control only to discover it was unwed mothers having all the babies! There is not a moment to be lost in sex education for youth; films and ads promoting "safe sex" should break through the Great Wall of moral education and be accepted in an appropriate scope by society.

Though there is no effective medication against AIDS, there is help for "AIPS" victims. Overcome fear. Learn to protect yourself. And if you can depart from the moral angle and have compassion for those suffering, that's even healthier. The more AIPS sufferers there are, the more chance AIDS has to spread.

[Picture Caption]

It is urgent to get information about AIDS to the Dublic. With conservative Chinese, however, poster design requires particular attention. (photo by Arthur Cheng)

On June 26, 1987, the first Chinese AIDS victim in the ROC "faced" the world. (photo by Hsiao Chia-ch'ing)

Listing of AIDS Cases by Coutry & (picture)

Source: World Health Organization

On June 26, 1987, the first Chinese AIDS victim in the ROC "faced" the world.

Listing of AIDS Cases by Coutry （picture）