AIDS Epidemic: Life & Death On The Frontline

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

History Hit

Society, Sex, Scandal, Education, History

4.8 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 1 December 2023

⏱️ 64 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

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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Transcript

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0:18.0	Teasing sees apply. Check the Uber app.
0:20.0	Everyone leaves a legacy.
0:22.0	But a legacy can change over time as new generations re-examine all preputations.
0:28.0	From Wundery and Goldhanger podcasts, I'm F4Hersh.
0:31.0	I'm Peter Frankapan, and in a brand new series, we're exploring the lives of some of the biggest characters in history.
0:37.0	From Napoleon to Picasso.
0:39.0	And asking, what does their past tell us about our present? This is legacy.
0:45.0	Follow now wherever you get your podcasts.
0:48.0	Hello my lovely bird twisters. It's me, Kate Lister. I am here. You are here.
0:58.0	And I'm so glad that you are. I have so much fun talking to you and doing these podcasts.
1:04.0	I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do.
1:06.0	But before we can continue on our little journey together, you know what's coming.
1:11.0	I have to give you the fair dues warning. Here it is.
1:14.0	This is an adult podcast spoken by adults to other adults about adulty things covering a range of adults subjects in an adulty way.
1:20.0	And you should be an adult too.
1:23.0	Actually, this episode is to mark World AIDS Day and we're looking at the history of HIV and AIDS.
1:29.0	And it is upsetting. It's a really, really sad history and you just might not want to listen to that today.
1:35.0	In which case, this is your fair dues opportunity to give us a skip and we'll catch you next time for the rest of you.
	...

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