I see a lot of blame messaging out there.

No one deserves to get Covid19.

No one EVER deserves to be sick.

No one EVER deserves to die.

The reason this is such a sacred principle to me, is because I'm HIV+.

I'm not perfect. I had to learn these values from personal exp.

Testing HIV+ was an opportunity for me to learn about the AIDS crisis from my heart.

I feel the lessons of AIDS in my bones because I've experienced how some of the lessons work first-hand.

I know how shaming and fear blocks you from getting tested as fast as you should.

I put off getting off getting tested because I was deeply afraid.

Not of the virus so much.

I was afraid of the shame.

I knew how people treated other people who were HIV+. That terrified me.

I think this is the first time I've admitted openly that I waited to get tested.

Under the laws in Canada, that can even construed to be criminal. That's why we rarely talk about it or admit our hesitation to get tested before testing +.

That's why it really upsets me when I saw people shaming Covid19 positive people, and why I HATE the "Covidiot" hashtag.

You are not helping the cause of pandemic response when you shame people.

You are hindering the effort.

***You are contributing to an environment that discourages testing***.

That means MORE not less virus spread.

Ending pandemic, or slowing it down (bc I live in Ontario, let's manage expectations) requires decency.

Love thy neighbor.

There but for the grace of God go I.

Treat other people as you hope to be treated.

Universal compassion.

Universal love esp for those less fortunate.

You can't hate other people.

You can't belittle other people.

You have to care about them even if you don't like them.

Anger and blame is exactly the *reactionary* thinking underpinning too much pandemic policy that helped get us in this mess in the first place.

There are no short-cuts to pandemic.

Don't add to a climate of mistrust and suspicion with hate and anger. Unless it is directed at people in power.

We need as many people as possible to reject the Covid-Denier movement (which is growing thanks to punitive heavy handedness).

Even people who knowingly break protocols are not trying to hurt anyone.

**They're not.**

You must accept that.

They're just being human.

We need to reach out to them. We need to help persuade them.

Not help drive them into the arms of Covid-Denier groups.

But for the vast majority, they are infected because of systemic oppression.

Which is rooted in hate in a country that was literally born on the evil that is white supremacy.

Whether it's travellers coming to see their ailing or grieving loved ones.

Or anyone who tests pos.

They deserve and need your compassion and love.

Not your hate.

Love is the only way.

(Fin)