4 University Daily Kansan/Thursday, October 3, 1991 OPINION AIDSepidemic Precautions,not testing,are AIDS solution The image of Kimberly Bergalis testifying in favor of mandatory testing of health care workers has done much to put new emotion in the already heartwrenching story of AIDS. AIDS is a disease that does not have to happen. As well as being one of the most deadly diseases today, it is also one of the most easily prevented. But mandatory testing of health care workers is not the answer to this problem. The cost to continually test workers would be staggering to the already financially troubled health system. And what about patients? Should they be required to be tested also? The AIDS virus can be transferred both ways. The real answer to the threat of AIDS is simply for people to think before they act. People should realize that not everyone is honest about their sexual background, especially in regard to sexual activity and drug use, which are the most common ways the virus is contracted. body. Precautions should be taken before actions, such as using condoms when having sexual intercourse and usingcleanneedles for all injections. If invasive procedures such as surgery are performed, patients can ask health workers whether they have AIDS, but the worker also should be able to ask the same of the patient. Mandatory testing is not the answer to finding a cure to AIDS; precautions are. Amy Francis for the editorial board Cold War ends Weapon reductions mark dawn of new age On Friday, Sept. 17, a pinnacle was reached in the cause of world peace. President Bush announced a plan to reduce the post Cold War era nuclear tensions of the United States against foreign soils, thereby considerably decreasing the threat of a nuclear conflict Could it be that because of the fall of the communist system of government in the Soviet Union that we, as a world and people, are about to embark on another age of being — the post-nuclear, pre- democratic age? It sounds good, and the decision should be praised. Different catalysts made this decision an inevitable one, such as the fact that the newly independent nations of the Soviet region have more economic uncertainty threatening their nations. Nuclear weapons don't solve domestic problems such as poverty and hunger. Plus, the need for them to defend themselves from "those capitalist pigs" has taken another turn and for Americans the dreaded "Red Scare" is finally over. Bush has planted a seed into the minds of Americans, Soviets and all nations, marking one of the most dramatic changes in politics and power since the beginning of the arms race after World War II. It's a great thing, but how long will it last, and will it end with the final dismantling of the last ballistic missile? Editorials reflect the opinion of the University Daily Kansan editorial board. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the board. Opinions expressed in guest and staff columns and cartoons are solely those of the author or artist. Views expressed in columns and cartoons are not necessarily shared by the Kansan. Editorial board members are: Benjamin Allen, Anita Bajaj, Kevin Bartels, James Baucom, Michael Dick, Amy Francis, Clarissa Jackson, Daniel Janousek, Ellen Kuwana, Holly Lawton, Holly Neuman, Karen Park, Jennifer Reynolds, Jennifer Tanous, Jose Vasquez, Julie Wasson and Frank Williams. Frank Williams for the editorial board Question: Do you think mandatory AIDS testing should be required for doctors at Watkins Memorial Health Center and the University of Kansas Medical Center? Kristine Schneider Senior Speech pathology St Louis "No I don't, because people in the medical field should be taking enough precautions already." Chester Fee Retired doctor Special student status Fairway "My feelings are that doctors should test themselves. If they are going to require that doctors be tested, then patients should be tested, too. The danger is not from the doctor to the patient but from the patient to the doctor." John Stewart Senior Communications Wichita "I think they should test them, just for safety reasons. It seems like common sense to have everybody tested." Robyn Brecinsen Freshman Speech pathology Lawrence Erika Oliver Freshman Political science Overland Park "Yes, because we don't know enough about the AIDS virus now. You're putting people at big risk." "Yes, I think they should be tested. It's our right to know." Eric Smith Senior Advertising Roeland Park "Of course they should be tested if they are dealing with people in any situations that they are likely to transmit the disease to someone else." KANSANSTAFF HOLLY LAWTON Editor JENNIFERREYNOLDS Managing editor TOM EBLEN General manager,news adviser Editors Editors News Erik Schatz Editorial Karen Park Planning Sarah Davis Eric Goran Sports Mike Andrews Photo Brian Schoeni Features Tiffany Harness Graphics Melissa Unterberg KATIE STADER Business manager RICHHARSHBARGER Retail sales manager JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser Business Staff Campus sales mgr Leanne Bryant Regional sales mgr Jeannie Claxton National sales mgr David McWillaine Co-op sales mgr Lisa Keeler Production mgrs Jay Steiner, Wendy Sterz Marketing director Mike Behee Data entry director 黛珊·哈姆 Classified mgr Jennifer Jacquot Business Staff letters should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 200 words. They must include the writer's signature, name, address and telephone number. Writers affiliated with the University of Kansas must include class and hometown, or faculty or staff position. Guest columns should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 700 words. The writer will be phonetic. The Kansan reserves the right to reject or edit letters, guest columns and cartoons. They can be mailed or brought to the Kansan newroom, 111 Sawyer Flint Hall. Loco Locals ON TUESDAY ADAM FELT A LITTLE BORED. HE LET HIS ROOM, KRISS FLYNN, GO OUTSIDE WITH NEWSPAPER PRINT ALL OVER HIS FACE.. AFTER BEING CALLED "AL JOLO $0N" TENOR TWENTY TIMES, KRISS DISCOVERED ADAM'S PRANK... Nice work! FEELIN' REVENGE WAS THE ONLY LOGICAL METHOD, KRISS PLOTTED HIS ACTION... HENCE PANEL ONE... (AUNT, SHEAD HEAD) BUT, EVEN WHEN ONE "GETS EVEN," EVER USUALLY DOESN'T STOP. IT GETS WORSE. by Tom Michaud