Diary Prequel Package — page 18

April 13, 2001 -- There is a variable degree of hysteria going around with regard to the apparent dichotomy between those who are pushing for treatment for HIV infection in Africa and those who are pushing for treatment. I see no need for conflict. Obviously, we need to do both. Below is an e-mail sent from Laurie Garrett (Pulitzer Prize winning reported for Newsday) to AIDS activist Gregg Gonsalves. To me, it just shows the hysteria of Garrett. I (as well as other of my colleagues) have always felt that she was a lousy reporter...a good book writer, but a lousy reporter since she came to every sto: with her own agenda. Great for a book, but not for reporting. any event, the e-mail frames the ongoing feeling at the time. Greetings. Tam writing to you because I have leammed over the years that you are very smart, insightful, and deeply concerned about the global HIV pandemic. I need your help. I'm trying to understand what the hell is going on with the treatment Vv prevention momentum now unfolding. Two enormously significant dates are approaching, which will merit huge media attention paid to AIDS: the 20th Anniversary of the original MMWR "gay plague" report, and the June special session of the UN on HIV. As we near those dates, literally thousands of people -- all, as far as I can tell, well intended --- are argueing over how best to direct energies and as yet uncommitted billions of dollars for themajority of the HIV+ people of the world, namely, those too poor to currently afford HAART. Ihave received many Emails and phone calls, heard heated debates, and watched tensions rise dramatically in recent weeks. Many of you are deeply upset. Some of you have grasped onto the treatment access issue for Africa as fervently as you once protested the Vietnam War, or fought the Reagan administration for AIDS research funds and human rights. As the observer --- the journalist --- I find the rancor distressing, but genuine. I hear various sides claiming that others have ulterior motives, are poor scientists, etc. But I don't think these charges are accurate or fair. My sense is that all sides in these squabbles --- even many people working inside the drug industry --- want to do the right thing. You just don't seem to agree about what, exactly, the right thing is. Today I got a particular angst-wrought message from Gregg Gonsavles, a long time American HIV activist who has, of late, focused his considerable energies on the global treatment access question. I wrote back to him, at length, and then realized that the questions I was raising actually ought to be sent to you, as