PEOPLE

The Southeast Missourian asked people if doctors and hospital patients should be routinely tested for the AIDS virus.

Johnny Stewart: "I think that doctors should be checked for the AIDS virus, because they deal with patients every day. It would be a good idea to test hospital patients. It couldn't do any harm. However, I don't think that they should be tested against their will."

Ron Lungwitz: "I think it makes sense to be tested for it if someone needs some medical work done. If I was a health care professional who was going to be providing services, then I would want to know that a patient is not infected with the AIDS virus."

Patricia Hobbs: "I think that anyone admitted to a hospital should be tested for it, because it is done for protection and not to offend anyone. If you are exposed to AIDS, you should be tested. It should be like you are tested for tuberculosis if you are exposed to that."

Edward Campbell: "As fast as AIDS is spreading, they should do more testing for it. So it would be good if both doctors and also hospital patients would be tested for it. It would not only benefit the doctors, but it would also benefit the patients."

Alyce Ward: "I feel that doctors should be tested, but not the patients without their permission. It should not be a routine testing of patients."

Alvin Blumenberg: "I feel everybody should be tested for it. I'm in the National Guard, and we test every year for AIDS. If you don't have anything to hide, there should be no reason not to take it. I think everybody should know if they have it."