How COVID-19 is similar to STDs
There are a few similarities to the two diseases
“In some ways, COVID-19 is kind of like STDs (sexually transmitted diseases, what were called venereal diseases in the 70s),” said a dear friend of mine several months ago. She explained that in the case of both the coronavirus and, say, syphilis, if we get it or think we’ve got it, we should tell others so they can avoid us and/or seek treatment if they choose. Which is true and I agree.
She also noted that some people seem to be ashamed about having coronavirus (and why they would be ashamed boggles my brain). Apparently this was the case in the first known incidence in our small midwestern town. A well-known man, a frequent patron of the local liquor establishments (i.e., bars), tested positive but didn’t seem to want to let everyone know. He actually denied it, according to my friend. Which in my mind was selfish and thoughtless to those who are in contact with him regularly. As it were, he and his family are fine.
To cut the man in question some slack, maybe it’s because he felt like maybe having the virus meant he was “dirty and unclean” like was the popular perception when I was younger (many, many moons ago) and learned about STDs in health class. I never got why people thought this way, though as I recall the prevailing notion back then about gonorrhea et. al., was that people who…
