General Chat

the reaction in the country to the south of us to the medical personnel returned there for treatment of Ebola after catching it while working in Africa ....................... was so very reminiscent of the same country's reaction to AIDS in the first few years of that epidemic.



It was great to see that report on AIDS / HIV ................ we know so many people who died from it, or are surviving with it.

Yes I see your point but people have always been like that categorizing people and things in a very rough and ready way often unfairly. The only real fix is for people who get listened to push back. These days that mainly means media stars prepared to put their head over the parapet. For instance Joni Mitchell probably did more than anybody in North America to change views about unmarried mothers. Just by being there.

Nestle is the world's biggest importer of cocoa.
The trees grow in west Africa.
Because of ebola and a bad harvest too there is going to be a chocolate shortage.

"Buy the record. Buy into it. Feel happy. Done my bit."

yeh but there's always going to be that lol, whether it's buying a record, or dressing up for Children in Need , or buying a red nose, or just that warm glow that you've given your widows mite ;-) .... but better than NOT doing anything .

Now for giving to a cause to be totally selfless, I suppose it would have to be something like a member of the Westboro Baptist church giving a donation to 'Gay black democrats wanting to abolish the right to bear arms' .. ;-)

Why should a Swiss company care?

You say many correct things but my point was that people are still stuck in this stupid mindset - if you go to Africa you may contract Ebola. If you have gay sex you may contact AIDS.
All bad information and misinformation by people that wish to give misinformation.
My point about Geldof is that yes, hopefuly he accelerates awareness but I dont think he does. Buy the record. Buy into it. Feel happy. Done my bit.

HIV / AIDS has hit millions of people all over the world including the west with no discrimination at all - rich, poor, black, white .... thus right from the get go it was seen as a major threat and any amount of money has been thrown at it. The virus is attenuating and sufferers are living a lot longer. It is far from fixed though.

EBOLA otoh is very much perceived as a problem for the crowded shanty towns and up country villages of West and Central; Africa. Although not said the unspoken thought is that if hygiene was better and they snacked at Subway rather than crunchy bat the problem would go away. The preferred western solution is travel restrictions.

The amount of money spent on research has been and remains negligible. The amount of help to the affected countries is also nowhere near meeting need. Only the UK has really got going.

So if some celebs. focus on Ebola it is not such a bad thing at all.

Maybe time for Nestle to open its wallet..

You could argue Errol that HIV/ AIDs was a 'relatively contained problem' back when it became evident ( for want of a better word).

I well recall the first tv ads that took it from being seen as only affecting homosexual men to being recognised that it could be, and was, affecting a much wider demographic. It was then ( and probably still is by some unfortunately ) seen by many as never going to affect them, the so called 'gay plague'.

I don't think Bob Geldof does it because it makes him 'look good', I think he has a genuine gut reaction to certain things and goes with it. I don't doubt that along with many celebs or ex celebs he has contributed over the years without fanfare to various charities or made a quid donation to a charity bucket here and there.

We all have triggers, things we just can't 'pass by', yours won't be the same as mine, and mine won't be the same as the next person. :-)

RR I do agree to a point and yes, I was trying to evoke some sort of response.

However, I do feel that the current scaremongering over ebola can do any support, any research, any financial contribution a lot of damage.

Ebola is a (currently) small scale disease/infection/problem (depending upon which government youn believe). AIDS is a far more widespread situation and potential issue. Why support a "relatively" contained problem (as to yet) and not support a widespread and worldwide problem?

I really am not having a go but I do get cross when ex-celebrities (sic) try to do something because it looks good for them.

Yes that sounds like good news.

I don't think it's an 'either / or' situation though, HIV/AIDS OR Ebola.... the fatality figures may be disproportionate , largely due to Ebola being confined to certain areas....as yet. Without the level of support for AIDS charities, without the research into medication over the last decades, without the education in how HIV was spread and how not to spread it, then many more deaths would have been added to that total.

Perhaps the financial input now, while only a relatively 'small' number have died of ebola will cut it off before it gets a hold? Prevention, treatment and vaccines are not generally considered high priority when those who are most at risk don't have money, or access to decent medical treatment in general. Drugs companies cater most to those who can afford it.

Making 'a statement' that ebola 'could' affect us all is no bad thing imo. And even if it doesn't spread, it is still 'worth' giving some hope and help to those who need it....if you are dying of an AIDs related illness in this country , at very least your loved ones can hold you and comfort you, that can't be said of ebola victims

Many diseases are more 'high profile' and get more or less financial support than others, you only have to look at the number of ads for cancer research charities as against say Parkinson's.

But what's the saying “Any man's death diminishes me ..."

This is great news!

It would seem that if the below report is to be believed to be correct then maybe, just maybe a corner has been turned.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30254697

Between five and twelve thousand people have died from Ebola, depending upon which report you read.

Last year about one and a half million people died of AIDS related illnesses (AIDS in itself does NOT kill you).

Make your own choice. Make your own decision.

I know which "genuine" fight my money is supporting, Mr Geldof.