HIV/AIDS still a major problem
Although HIV/AIDS is less prominent in our local newspapers, we should not operate under the illusion that living with HIV or AIDS is less onerous than ever. The epidemic is spreading in the U.S. faster than predicted. The CDC estimate of 56,000 new infections for 2006 is much higher than previous estimates of 40,000. There are numerous medications available, but there is no cure and every medication has side effects and limited efficacy. As the virus mutates easily, not adhering to a strict regimen of taking medication can be dangerous. People living longer with HIV/AIDS have aged faster, been prone to early onset of cardiac diseases, emphysema, diabetes, cancers, disfigurement from weird lipid metabolism, neuropathies, depression and liver, spleen and kidney toxicities, among other things.
AIDS medications are extraordinarily expensive. For those with co-pays, it drains resources; for those with government-assisted insurance (now 75 percent of those infected), there remain limits on which medications can be prescribed, and governments are cutting drug assistance programs while facing budget deficits. California just cut its assistance program by more than $55 million.
The shame, fear and hiding has not ceased, nor has the daily struggle been made easy, even with the availability of the large number of medications (pills and injections) that most people need to take every day to sustain their lives.
The AIDS case rate in New York state is nearly double that of the nation. Every effort must be made to find better treatments and a cure. All of us, including those of us living in rural upstate New York, must continue to prevent transmission by knowing and avoiding risk factors.
June 27 is National HIV Testing Day and a good time for those at risk to take advantage of the free anonymous HIV testing available in Delaware and Otsego counties.
Marc J. Osterweil
Margaretville
Beer, no free games won't ruin O-Tigers
The letter on May 21 by Dave Perkins is pretty weak and a cheap shot at the new O-Tigers management. Beer will be served in plastic cups, not glass bottles, as he says.
Fantastic, Dave, you have been a promoter of a kids free night. Wow. If it's free, it's for you. I highly doubt you attend many games if you have to pay full price.
The community has a lot to be thankful for _ namely, Sam Nader's desire to keep pro ball here. With the outstanding support of businesses and other fine people, it's still here.
The "family atmosphere" talk has worn itself out. Change is good. I know that with beer being served, all of the crazies are going to come out and just ruin it by throwing things and being rude. Yeah, right. You would like to believe that or impress on people that, or saying that kids seeing beer ruins the family atmosphere. Maybe we should get rid of all the family get-togethers in Neahwa Park when Mom and Dad enjoy beer. Let's not dine out, either. That family atmosphere will be gone if parents have a beer.
The Common Council did the right thing, much to Dave's dismay. Maybe the new owners will market the packed hotels, or nail down some of the millions spent here and nearby by the thousands here for tournaments.
Damaschke Field has seen some of the best-known names and stars grace its field. It would be embarrassing to see baseball at this level disappear, with all of its history to Oneonta, and know that a Soccer Hall of Fame built on the sole premise of a DI national title by Hartwick 32 years ago still is here.
Mark W. Benjamin
Oneonta
Fracking fluid the biggest concern
Congratulations to Otsego County Rep. Marti Stayton and the Solid Waste and Environmental Concerns Committee for their recognition that the most important concern of natural-gas drilling would be the composition of the fracking fluids employed! And thanks to The Daily Star for supporting them in its editorial of May 30.
The drilling companies may claim that these fluids are proprietary, but proprietary or not, no group should be allowed to pump toxic substances into our ground water. Not only should we entitled to know the composition of the fluids, but our regulatory agencies should be empowered to dictate which substances may be used. Most of the objectionable physical effects of drilling would recede with time, but many hydrocarbons and other toxins could be with us for decades.
Theodore Peters Jr., Ph.D.
Cooperstown
Dr. Peters is research scientist emeritus at Bassett Research Institute in Cooperstown.
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