I will repeat this to my community🏳️‍🌈 because our leaders for some reason are not using their status as leaders with their massive platforms, clearly, loudly and regularly. Grrrowl. 🎯

The next tweet will be just slightly OVER 18XXX content.

Okay?
Dear (mostly) gay men,

We are going cruising places in large numbers. In Toronto you know which ones I mean, I don't have to name them.

This is understandable and well expected and does not make us bad people at all for many reasons. I haven't been yet but know what's happening
Large numbers and crowding is concerning for potential Corona spread.

You are more protected from Covid19 transmission outdoors in open air spaces. Absolutely. Far safer than any inside spaces as much as wonderful places with good ownership invested in precautions.

BUT...
You should still wear a mask when cruising and having any physical and sexual contact. I'm aware through various means that is not happening (depending on the site and time of day).

This is also not surprising at all. It's hard for me to process that.

But you have to try.
That does NOT mean you should shame people who are not wearing masks at a cruising site.

Because saunas are not a great option bc they are indoors, the same rules must apply. Think of it as a sauna: this is a no-shame /no judgement zone.

Instead, lead by example. Wear a mask.
Infection events have happened on beaches. So we know transmission is possible and that it can happen in outdoor spaces if you are in close contact.

Avoid face to face contact - obv kissing - and any contact with droplets from someone's else's face to your face.
Some of these cruising spaces while outdoors are well concealed and therefore blocking some elements like wind that reduces transmissability. So keep that in mind too.

Just because it's outdoors does not mean you can be maskless especially in tight gathering places with many ppl
Another issue you should be aware of.

Because outdoor cruising spaces may be replacing saunas at least for this period of fair weather, we are losing some of the safety protections with on-site staffing.
You must fill their role.

Keep an eye out out for anyone who is vulnerable or in danger.

You must be vigilant good citizens and good samaritans.
Know the signs of an overdose and call 911 if someone is unresponsive or in distress. Or scream for help if city staff or first responders are anywhere within earshot or nearby.

Remember that the Good Samaritan Law applies.
Saving a life in danger must be paramount above all else.

You cannot behave as uninvolved bystanders.

If you see someone who is unresponsive or unconcious *you are involved and should consider that life your only priority*. Call for help now and provide any assistance you can.
A few more issues.

HIV:

We are going thru a long period with major barriers for HIV testing with huge controls for accessing routine health services to prevent and control spread of COVID19.
It's quite possible that many more people who should have been getting tested for HIV weren't getting tested.

This means we likely have a higher number of people than usual who are HIV positive and don't know it yet.
And they very likely have no symptoms of HIV yet, at least for a time.

It can be symptomless for quite some time after infection. Even so, the viral load is likely still increasing, symptoms or no symptoms.

Which means the HIV virus is easier to transmit.
These are conditions for a perfect storm of a new major HIV outbreak.

Just before pandemic we were already experiencing a jump in HIV in Toronto and almost every place across Canada except British Columbia (yes, yet another Dr. Bonnie Henry success that eludes the rest of us).
So factor HIV into your calculations at cruising spots or for having unprotected sexual intercourse anywhere:

🔴 There are likely more ⬆️ people than usual who are HIV positive and don't know it PLUS more ⬆️ people than usual who have viral loads at levels that are infectious.
Please know YOU CAN ACCESS HIV TESTING.

YOU SHOULD GET TESTED IF YOU'VE HAD SEXUAL INTERCOURSE.

OR IF YOU'VE SHARED A SYRINGE to inject a drug.

The only difference with pandemic today - generally - is HIV testing requires an appt.

That's it. You still must get tested.
Your confidentiality can still be maintained with an appointment.

The key line here from the Hassle Free isn't so much "by appointment".

It's "ALL SERVICES AVAILABLE". That also means confidential HIV testing.
Please get tested for HIV if you've had sexual intercourse or shared recreational injectable drugs.

*It's totally fine if you have.*

*You have NOTHING to be ashamed of.*

And you have nothing to worry about.

If you are positive the health system will provide you medication.
And if you picked up any other blood borne disease the health system will treat you for that too, confidentially. But you must get tested so you can begin treatment as soon as possible.

You don't have to tell ANYONE.

Any contacts you have info for can be notified thru PH.
The longer you hold off on getting tested, the higher your viral load and the risk to your health and others.

You can be symptomless and crash rapidly once the virus builds up. Because eventually it will take a big bite into your immune system.

You can avoid this.

Get tested.
Point is:

We know - I know - there are many more people among our community🏳️‍🌈 in preventable danger right now.

And we're not really talking about it!

The combination of these factors points to our community taking a BIG hit from pandemic very soon.

We are VERY vulnerable.
Higher untested HIV
+
Higher HIV viral loads
+
Barriers discouraging access
+
Covid Shaming For Gatherings Discouraging Testing
(esp sex in outdoor places)
+
Higher exposures
+
HIV Stigma
+
Covid stigma
+
Drug stigma sparking more overdoses in cruising sites w/ no staff
We are on a collision course for multiple major disasters needlessly taking life from our community🏳️‍🌈.

That's why I'm trying to raise the alarm with this thread and hopefully get the message out to some of us to be aware and do what we can to prevent it.
You can follow @Mikeggibbs.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled: