In June 1981, five men in Los Angeles were diagnosed with a rare lung infection. That same month, multiple cases of a rare, aggressive cancer were reported in New York and California. This marked the first official clinical account of what would later be called Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
As a result of the social-distancing requirements necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have reduced their number of sexual partners. The subsequent closure of many social spaces may also mean that one-night stands and casual hook-ups are less frequent. This physically-distanced era that we’re living in may make us think that our sexual health is not as pressing of an issue as usual. Other areas of our lives and overall health are understandably commanding our focus at the moment, however it is important not to neglect our sexual health - especially as certain aspects of it have been complicated by the pandemic and restrictions.
While the internet provides us with an array of new and enhanced capabilities, it also brings a whole host of considerations and risks. Our networks are broadened in ways that would have been impossible without the wide reach of the internet. This means that we can encounter people who we don’t know daily, particularly on social media. More importantly, even people we know offline can prove to be untrustworthy, especially when it comes to sharing sensitive information with them.
