Free Things in New York City: AIDS Tests, Washington Square Park, Tomorrow

By Foster Kamer Tue., Nov. 30 2010 at 4:50 PM

Categories: AIDS, Foster Kamer, Free Things In New York City, Health, Health Care, Sometimes We Do Nice Things, Sometimes We Say Nice Things, Very Important Issues

Pin It

Tomorrow is World AIDS Day, which is neither a celebration of AIDS nor the day everyone in the world gets AIDS, but a day dedicated to AIDS awareness, which there will never be enough of. Like AIDS tests. Which are going to be given away for free in Washington Square Park tomorrow.

Facts I just learned from a press release:

New York City's case rate for AIDS is three times the national average!
For New York City residents ages 35-54, HIV is the third-leading cause of death.

You probably didn't know that. Now, not that you don't know whether or not you have AIDS -- hopefully, you do, and if there's even a question, you should've gotten tested yesterday -- but whether you do and especially if you don't, get down to Washington Square Park tomorrow to support a completely and unilaterally un-opposable cause by getting a test anyway. There's no needles involved, so even if you're a wuss, there's no excuse not to. They're going to be using the Ora-Quick HIV tests -- a mouth swab and a 20-minute wait -- and they're going to have HIV counseling on-site.

Remember:

Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 1st.
Washington Square Park, 10 AM to 2 PM.
Free AIDS Testing, via Planned Parenthood and MTV, who will never make up for The City but this is certainly a start.

Nobody cares if you've seen Rent. Go.

[fkamer@villagevoice.com]

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Weekly Newsletter: (Sent out every Thursday) Our weekly feature stories, movie reviews, calendar picks and more - minus the newsprint and sent directly to your inbox.