Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

AIDS Epidemic: Life & Death On The Frontline

Dec 1, 2023

Special guest Flick Thorley, a nurse on an AIDS ward, shares her experience and explains why it was a blessing. Richard McKay, author of 'Patient Zero And The Making Of The AIDS Epidemic,' discusses the larger societal reaction. Topics include the stigma of HIV, blaming and scapegoating in disease outbreaks, and the concept of Patient Zero.

59:33

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Flick

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Quick takeaways

Working on the frontline with AIDS patients required immense compassion and the provision of emotional support.

The concept of Patient Zero in the AIDS epidemic led to misconceptions and stigmatization, highlighting the complexities of disease outbreaks.

Stigma and prejudice surrounding HIV and homosexuality fueled discrimination and perpetuated harmful stereotypes, emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding.

Deep dives

The Origins of the AIDS Epidemic

The podcast episode explores the history of HIV and AIDS on World AIDS Day. The podcast discusses how fear and confusion surrounded the epidemic in the 1980s and 1990s, and highlights the stigma and persecution faced by those affected by the virus. Despite the horror of the epidemic, acts of kindness and bravery also emerged. The podcast features interviews with a nurse who worked with AIDS patients in the 1990s and an author who delves into the cultural and societal reactions to the virus. The episode provides insights into the experiences of those affected by the epidemic and the societal response to a major health crisis.

Introduction

2min

Navigating the AIDS Crisis

22min

Intimate Connections and Farewells

4min

Reflections on Leaving a Hospice for AIDS Patients

4min

Blaming and Scapegoating in Disease Outbreaks

9min

The Stigma of HIV: Patient Zero

17min

The Stigma of Patient Zero

3min

How do we understand something as huge as a global epidemic?

Similarly to Covid, the AIDS epidemic, which was most destructive in the 1980s and 90s, had such universal reach. Yet within that, there were millions of personal experiences.

What was it like to work on the frontline with people who were hit by this cruel virus? How did a Canadian air steward come to be wrongly blamed for introducing AIDS to North America?

To mark World AIDS Day, today Kate is joined by two special guests. Firstly, Flick Thorley, who speaks about why her experience as a nurse on an AIDS ward was a blessing. Secondly, we’re joined by Richard McKay, author of Patient Zero And The Making Of The AIDS Epidemic to unpack the larger societal reaction.

Click here to find out more about the amazing work the Terrence Higgins Trust do.

This episode was edited by Tom Delargy. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.

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