HEALTH COVID-19 UPDATE
Whitman-Walker Launches Major Exhibit in Wake of World AIDS Day 2020 Hamil R. Harris WI Contributing Writer World AIDS Day Dec. 1 drew global observances in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and one of the most colorful came just a few days later with the opening Dec. 5 of the Whitman-Walker Clinic’s new cultural center--The Corner –and curtain-raising exhibition: “See You There: Making History at Whitman-Walker”! The exhibition of photos, artwork and documents marks an effort by Whitman-Walker to
launch a “an ambitious long-term program at the intersection of art, health and education, determined to contribute to social justice and equality.” Inspired by the Whitman-Walker Oral History Project, officials say that the exhibition tells the story of a clinic that was one of the earliest U.S. healthcare institutions focused on the LGBTQ community as well those fighting for HIV/AIDS. The exhibition runs from Dec. 5 to March 28, 2021 and is available for in-person visits (with required
mask use, limited capacity, contact tracing and social distancing in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19).The exhibition is also available online for those who cannot attend in person. “Our goal of ending the AIDS epidemic was already off track before COVID-19. We must put people first to get the AIDS response back on track. We must end the social injustices that put people at risk of contracting HIV,” said Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS. In a statement for World AIDS day, Byanyima said in a statement, “There is no excuse for governments to not invest fully for universal access to health. Barriers such as up-front user fees that lock people out of health must come down.” The event comes more than three decades after Acquired Immune-Deficiency Syndrome exploded into the global consciousness as an incurable disease associated with homosexuality. But more than three decades later HIV/AIDs is no longer a death sentence and on Dec. 1 residents in the District and around the globe celebrated World AIDS Day with a series of events where world leaders focused on the intercon-
5 A sculpture by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare, located outside of the Whitman Walker clinic in Northwest. (Screen grab/WhitmanWalker IG)
nectedness between Coronavirus pandemic and HIV/AIDS. Advocates are still fighting indifference. Phil Pannell, 70, executive director of the Anacostia Coordinating Council and a long time gay in Southeast Washington., “Here in Ward 8 World AIDS Day is hardly known very much beyond those who are not connected with the Max Robinson Center.” “In my mind AIDs in the black community has gone the same
‘Love Up’ Family, Friends Living with HIV/AIDS William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill
5 Stephen Bridges of the District offers advice for people living with HIV and how families can offer support during a virtual discussion Nov. 30 on eliminating HIV/AIDS. (Screen grab: Prince George’s County Health Department and WUSA9)
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5 Harold J. Phillips, senior HIV advisor and chief operating officer of “Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America” with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, gives remarks during virtual discussion Nov. 30 on eliminating HIV/AIDS. (Screen grab: Prince George’s County Health Department and WUSA9)
Stephen Bridges received more than his share of negative treatment growing up as a gay Black man, especially living with HIV/ AIDS. Bridges, who became diagnosed with the virus 31 years ago, said he got bullied by Black people and those in the Black church who “made it clear [I’m] going to hell.” Now at 58, living in the District, he says there’s at least one person who has his back: comedian and radio personality Joe Clair. “Yes, we do have different last names. This is my older brother. My advocacy really comes from him,” Clair said Monday, Nov. 30 during a virtual discussion on eliminating HIV/AIDS. “He set a great example for me as a young man. I have him to thank for that.”
Clair headlined a one-hour discussion sponsored by the Prince George’s County Health Department along with WUSA9-TV with up to 115 people logged on. According to a September report from the Maryland Department of Health, about 31,630 residents lived with HIV/AIDS in 2019. Last year, the state reported about 931 people received HIV+ diagnoses with 74 percent of them Black and 11 percent each white and Latino. The majority Black jurisdictions of Prince George’s and Baltimore City recorded the highest rate of new HIV+ diagnoses last year with at least 25.8 per 100,000 people. The state average rate: 18.6. The county’s Health Department has joined the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in a goal to reduce new
way as sickle cell. Today sickle cell is not the disease de jure,” Pannell said. “Everything pales compared to the corona pandemic. When was the last time you see someone wearing a red ribbon?” “The situation with AIDs is because of the advancements has gone in the same way as sexually transmitted diseases went in our generation. You go get your medicines and you keep getting up, but there still a problem in our community.” WI HIV infections by 75 percent in five years and at least 90 percent over the next decade. Prince George’s will join 47 other targeted areas nationwide to secure funding and other resources in fighting the epidemic. It especially helps during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic with nearly 42,000 confirmed cases in the county, which continues to lead the state. Diane Young, a registered nurse and associate director with the county’s Family Health Services Division in the health department, said HIV services are now gender neutral and those who aren’t diagnosed with the virus can also access various housing, financial assistance and job training support. “We offer a range of services to try and keep people healthy,” she said. “COVIE-19 has really highlighted what’s going on [with] the disparities in health care and
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