THE EDITOR, Sir:
EARLIER IN the year when the report came out of Montego Bay about the nuamber of women who were testing positive for AIDS, I wrote about the need for all well-thinking Jamaicans to get involved in arresting the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Based on the information that is now coming to fore, AIDS has reached pandemic proportions in Jamaica. Many innocent persons are being infected and, sadly, our women are out-numbering the men.
It is so frightening when we hear the stories of persons, mainly women who were committed to what they thought was a monogamous relationship only to test positive for the disease. We must applaud the artistes who have come together to get the message out.
Their voice should make an impact as they command a wide and mixed audience.
Women of Jamaica, let us take a stance. Let the change begin with us. When we know that a man is already in a committed relationship let us not be a part of the equation. This might be our death sentence.
For the many men who have not come on board, it's time you commit to one person or face the consequences. Let us not wait until we have lost family and loved ones before we take the message seriously.
Remember, you can look at a leper and diagnose the illness but you cannot look at someone and detect the presence of the AIDS virus.
We cannot undo the numbers that have already been infected but we can unite in the campaign to effect some level of control.
The message is clear! This might be our final chance to take charge of our life and our destiny.
I am, etc
WILBIG
wilbig@cwjamaica.com
Portmore, St. Catherine
