Oh I had that backwards. Prevents 6 in 7 people.

I don't understand how this is a comparable example.

How does the law accomplish this, both in actuality and in theory?

I'm harming another human being, unknowingly. Which seems to be your argument for passing SB 239. In that, because I didn't know (by not getting myself tested), that that utter lack of concern for myself and others, should only be a misdemeanor.

I could see a desire to pass a law that said everyone has to be tested.

I just think SB 239 is the wrong way to solve this problem.

Nah, my argument is just that criminalization bills don't really accomplish much at best in terms of HIV prevention, and at worst, unintentionally make things worse.

What are your thoughts about someone who:

• Knows they've got HIV
  
• Refuses to get treatment
  
• Keeps it a secret with the intention of getting others infected
  

Do you think that should still be considered a misdemeanor?

so I guess no one else shares in my excitement..

This post was edited by DCSS on Jul 30 2017 02:03am

I think a misdemeanor is certainly better than a felony, but that ultimately what that person needs the most is some help, not incarceration.

Additionally, instances that are of the nature that you described are so infinitesimally small and rare that I think it's important to distinguish between two types of arguments that extend from that specific scenario. There's the argument based on morality and criminality that says that it should be a crime (whether that's a felony or a misdemeanor) and then there's the argument about public health that contends the law is important for HIV prevention. Some people in this thread have previously made the case that the law is about both.

For the former, like I said, I think the person needs help and that incarceration isn't the best way to achieve that. For the latter, criminalization laws do absolutely nothing at best to prevent HIV, and at worst end up worsening the situation.

One of my clients was convicted of bioterrorism because he gave AIDS to so many people.




Monogamy is a safe bet between two informed people. Diseases don't magically appear in any couple.

They want to spread their aids and multiply