I had a thought (yes, another one) just the other day and I've shared it with my dear Sista Wanda already. But what does the term 'universal precautions' mean to you?
Women, image for just a moment walking into the examination room for your annual check up. You're up in those dang stirrups and the doctor comes over to begin your pap, but he is not wearing any latex gloves! What goes through your mind? Think about it.
Men, what goes through your mind at the thought of your doctor not wearing any gloves while probing your body?
Me, I'm like hold up..wait a minute! And I'm not even playing here. Because a couple of years ago I had a so called medical professional put on a pair of gloves in preparation for my exam. And because the equipment was not cooperating, she lead me to another room. Well, she never took off those gloves! And so when we got into the new exam room, she thought that she was good to go. So I said to her, umm, don't you think you should change your gloves? And her response to me (in her defence) was that she had just put them on. So I explained to her that yes, she had put the gloves on in my presence initially, but she had also worn those gloves when she opened the door for us to leave the first room and then she used those same gloves again to open the door to our current location. This is my body and you will not wear those gloves to do anything to me. You need a clean pair.
Now by now, she had a real crazy look on her face but she knew that I was serious. As a matter of fact I thought about reporting her lack of common sense to the hospital, but didn't. Anyway, what I'm trying to get at here is that since latex gloves and masks and other protective wear is there to protect the patient from the doctor and to protect the doctor from the patient. I'm wondering how difficult it will be to incorporate universal precautions into the bedroom. Given the current HIV epidemic, I'm of the opinion that it should become common sense for people to put on some latex before exchanging bodily fluids with each other.
It just makes sense to me and I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts on this.
I think I should add that from what I've read, most people believe it should be the guys responsibility to bring the latex. But many will agree that women should start carrying their own latex and they make the cutest condom carrying cases these days! There is nothing wrong with having a "Plan A" and a "Plan B".
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