Judges weigh HIV-infected man's fight to get job

What is obviously not in question here is not how he acquired the VIRUS! What is questionable here is the inspecting physicians point of veiw that this man not be permitted in society. I know several physicians that use their own uneducated opinions to censure people's lives. My sister-in-law is a nurse, yet she sees no reason to become more educated on HIV. Yet, she will refuse to even see someone with HIV. This attitude, unfortunately, is rampant among the medical field. I am lucky, in my area, the Cheif of Staff at my local hospital is also my infectious disease physician. He has trained most of the staff there on handling HIV patients with the same care and considerations as any one else coming through those e-room doors! In my opinion, the physician needs re-education and the city of Atlanta needs to get another physicians opinion or two about this situation before denying this man's application.

There are nurses and doctors who are positive. HIV does not prevent them from treating patients. I hope this guy wins the lawsuit/ or gets hired to stop perpetuating the stigma.

...and cue the bigotry and ignorance. Just as many straight people get HIV from sex as gay people, so having HIV is not an indicator of moral standing. Go find the CDC website and read up on it folks. Yes, it can be transmitted through blood, and people who share needles for drug abuse can give each other HIV. The Doctor didn't say this man was a junkie; he said he had a chronic illness that is treated as easy as peopel treat diabetes. I have worked in hospitals before and I know how many bigots there are in medicine. It is sad, but having a technical education doesn't mean you can't still be ignorant. The ATL police department is becoming internationally famous for being anti-gay so I am not surprised at all that they took this man's status as a reason to not accept him even though he may not be gay at all, but just have HIV. Having HIV is not the same as having AIDS. If you don't treat HIV, it destroys your white blood cells. This allows other illnesses to infect you because you no longer have a defense. AIDS (Aquired Immune Defficiency Syndrome) is the name given to being in this vulnerable state. Having little or no immune system isn't what kills you, it is all the illnesses that your body can no longer "get better from." Imagine being able to catch pneumonia and no medication will help you? Its that type of thing that kills you. So here we have a healthy man who has passed the exams who wants to be a cop and help out and some biased bigoted doctor who says because this guy has a very managable medical issue, he should not be able to. This is bad medicine, this is bad practice, and this is bad ethics. I hope the judges come down hard on the doc and the ATLPD - AGAIN. Maybe someday they will learn.

Aa an active duty policeman, he might, at some point in his career transfer infected blood (a longshot)- Other than that- there is NO REASON that he SHOULD NOT be hired. It is discrimination, pure and simple for him to be denied employment because of a pre-existing condition- And the ignorant "Doctor" who made the recomendation SHOULD be barred from practice. Where's the CDC in all this? They're based right there in Atlanta- they should speak up on this man's behalf!

Since when is HIV covered under the ADA? Cancer is not so why is HIV? The fact is being a police officer there is a good chance that he could get blood on another person be it a suspect, another police officer, a victim, or some on unrelated to the case. The risk is too high to employ him in that capacity. If he is just going to have a desk job no problem but he can not be found suitable to be around the public while performing a job such as a police officer.

Protected status... what a load of c-r-a-p

that is against the americans with disabilities act. and, how many other tests are done with the doctor(s) for all other applicants? and, arent there many different things he could do, as a police officer? this looks like another lawsuit we taxpayers will foot the bill on, because of the lunatics running the asylum. i would bet there was a bidding war with the lawyers for this case, it seems like a slam dunk to me, just on federal law alone.

Personally speaking, I don't think it's a wise decision to have someone with a communicable disease, to be in a position where they come in contact w/ a large number of the public. Legally, this can lbe ooked at as discrimination, but we all have our own preference and beliefs, regarding personal safety.

Sorry, but there's a reason why the military doesn't allow HIV pos. people. The police is like the military and potentially involves blood. If he infects somebody else, the police department would be looking at a huge lawsuit. The police department should win this case.

This man will win the lawsuit. That is guaranteed. It sickens me that the city of Atlanta, which had been at the forefront of the civil rights movement, would actually openly discriminate against someone with a protected status.
Get ready to pay up, Hotlanta.

I can't see why having HIV would make you a danger to others or unable to perform as a police officer. If anything, it might allow you to act more quickly in a situation where blood is present, since you won't have as much fear of catching HIV from the blood. It might also give you more compassion for some of the people you come across. If there are other HIV positive officers, than this man should not be disqualified.

Forget the fact that the guy is 40 and now he wants to be a cop. They want young guys, not you oldsters.

Getting AIDS, by some people, is being used as a free ticket to get free money

Hmmm? Applicant's pride, Pubilc's health?
Applicant's pride, Public's health?
Applicant's pride, Public's health?

Any Questions?

Gay rights supporters and this cop applicant is willing to risk the health and safety of other innocent people in order to prove his point. AIDS is not only a debilitating disease it is also very contagious. AIDS can be transmitted to innocent people while one is trying to perform a job that can be very physically tasking. The guy should put the health and safety of others before his own desires.

Wow tough one... i dont see that police officers are at such a great risk of their blood coming in contact with someone elses. Unless they get shot, but even then its not as though other people are going to be rollin around in it. With his virus being known, in the event it happens, they already know to take precautions. Maybe i am overlooking other scenarios!

How di he contract the virus? will insurance cover him for this preexisting condition? If not, who has to pay for it? Sounds like there is more to the story.

There is no doubt that this man can perform all the essential duties required of a police officer.

There are nurses with HIV.
Let the man serve.

I think he would be great working at a deli slicing meat and cheese all day.