THEGAYUK

Tag: CoronaVirus

The latest news and updates on the Covid-19 pandemic and the LGBT+ community. Stay updated with the latest news and updates about Coronavirus with THEGAYUK.

  • Ann Widdecombe: AIDS not as devastating as feared

    Ann Widdecombe: AIDS not as devastating as feared

    “We have had the scare of SARs, bird flu, Ebola and of course AIDS. None proved as devastating as feared.“

    Speaking her mind on COVID-19 and the spread of Coronavirus, Ann Widdecombe told her Daily Express readers that the virus may prove not to be “devastating” and called for a “sense of proportion”.

    The former Conservative party Minister grouped AIDS in with bird flu and Ebola. All of which were absolutely devasting for those who died from the spread of viruses.

    It is to be noted that AIDS, which killed thousands of gay and bi men in the 80s and 90s, has caused over 32 million deaths worldwide.

    According to The New European, in her latest column for the tabloid Daily Express she wrote, “I’m all for sensible precautions but I cannot help feeling that we are going mad over coronavirus,” 

    Widdecombe added: “We need a sense of proportion in the face of the financial markets going into meltdown, aeroplanes being grounded and shops shutting their doors.

    “It is nasty but, given the recovery rate, it is not the Black Death.”

    Taking to Twitter to comment on Widdecombe’s column the editor of Beyond Positive, Tom Hayes said, “Oh look, Ann Widdecombe is claiming #COVID19 won’t be a disaster, it’ll just be like AIDS. Over 32,000,000 people have died of AIDS, but it’s OK they’re mostly minorities and you couldn’t give two flying fucks about those sort of people could you, Ann?”

    https://twitter.com/PositiveLad/status/1238503653100662785

    Cancelled

    Last year Widdecombe had one less opportunity to spread her thoughts after a theatre company, Selladoor, scrapped an event at a venue in Ilfracombe, Devon, where the right-wing politician was due to host a one-woman show.

    The decision to cancel the show follows on from an interview on Sky News in which Widdecombe suggested that science may “produce an answer” to homosexuality – a comment which has led to a huge backlash against the Brexit Party politician.

  • This might be the campest way to clean your hands during the Covid-19 outbreak

    This might be the campest way to clean your hands during the Covid-19 outbreak

    “I Will Survive”

    Gloria Gaynor has delivered the video you didn’t think you needed – showing that the camp classic, “I Will Survive” is the only song you actually need to sing whilst cleaning your hands during the Coronavirus outbreak.

    [totalpoll id=”112587″]

    As the world’s supply of disinfectant hand wipes becomes thin on the ground, disco queen, Gloria Gaynor is here to remind you that you can simply wash your hands – and in accordance with the best advice, the chorus of her best-known song is long enough to make sure you get them all nice and clean.

    https://twitter.com/gloriagaynor/status/1237908407241314306

    In her Tic Tok video, which has now surpassed over a million views, the songstress is seen washing her hands to the chorus of her mega-hit.

    She’s even started the #IWillSurviveChallenge – which natch we’re totally onboard with.

  • A Drag Race UK superfan just did something totally gross to Vinegar Strokes

    A Drag Race UK superfan just did something totally gross to Vinegar Strokes

    It was an accident, but still… ?

    Drag Race superstar Vinegar Strokes is freaking out after an ultra gross encounter with a super fan.

    According to the Drag Race UK Queen, a fan described herself as a “huge fan” before spitting in her face, apparently by accident.

    Eugh. Just gross. Particularly as we’re living through an outbreak of Covid-19.

    The DQ said that she was “freaking out” and had to “sanitise [her] lips”.

    She also uploaded a clip of her smearing disinfectant on her lips!

    Response from her fans on Twitter ranged from a strong “no” to one commentator who urged the queen not to publicly shame the fan.

    We reached out to Ms Strokes to find out whether it was an accident or done on purpose, who told us, “It was an accident, she was just excited, which I don’t blame her for hahaha!”

    Guys be careful when talking to people, remember – “say it don’t spray it”.

  • Cher has cancelled her concert due to Covid-19 concerns

    Cher has cancelled her concert due to Covid-19 concerns

    “I am so sorry, but your health is paramount”

    Cher has called time on her next Here We Go Again concert due to concerns surrounding Covid-19. Taking to Twitter she wrote that although concerts were fun she had to go with her gut and cancel for the safety of her fans.

    She told fans that she could not “in good conscience play” her concert, which was due to be in Oklahoma City.

    Embed from Getty Images

    However, at the time of publishing tickets, some of which are selling for a staggering $496 + fee each, were still be sold on Ticketmaster and there has been no official word, as of yet, on the singer’s website about refunds or whether further shows would be cancelled.

    The singer revealed that she and her concert crew were no longer kissing or holding due to fears surrounding Coronavirus.

    She then warned her fans to wash their hands with “hot water or purell” and not to touch their faces. She then warned against shaking hands, getting to close and letting other people breathe on you.

    Rescheduled

    However, there is some hope, as Cher told fans that she was “trying to reschedule at the end of Summer”

    Cher’s concert cancellation comes right after the organisers of RuPaul’s Drag Convention called its May event in Los Angeles.

  • DragCon LA has been cancelled due to Coronavirus concerns

    DragCon LA has been cancelled due to Coronavirus concerns

    “DragCon’s first priority is always the health and safety of everyone involved”

    It seems the first major LGBT+ event has been cancelled due to fears surrounding Coronavirus.

    The event was due to take place on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of May just a month and a half away at the time of publishing.

    In a statement on the official RuPaul Drag Convention website, the organizers decided out of an “abundance of caution” for all concerned to cancel the event.

    Writing in a statement on the website, organisers said,

    DragCon’s first priority is always the health and safety of everyone involved and we’ve been actively tracking the situation around the coronavirus. The situation in California (and the world) is rapidly changing, with new information coming out everyday.

    Unfortunately, there’s no way for anyone to know what the situation will be like in May. Due to that uncertainty, and out of an abundance of caution, we’ve decided that it’s in the best interest of the talent, staff, and attendees to cancel RuPaul’s DragCon LA 2020.

    DragCon LA will return in 2021, better than ever.

    We will be working with Eventbrite to issue refunds over the next 7 days.

    Will there be refunds?

    The organisers have said that refunds will be made available on the next 7 days.

    The organisers have committed to a bigger and better DragCon in 2021.

  • DILEMMA | I’m concerned about coronavirus, should I stop hooking up?

    DILEMMA | I’m concerned about coronavirus, should I stop hooking up?

    A reader asks whether he should stop hooking up with guys from dating apps, during the coronavirus outbreak.

    Dear Uncle,

    I’m really concerned about the spread of coronavirus and wondering whether hooking up with random guys off grindr is safe.

    What do you suggest?

    Matthew

    This article has been updated read the new response here.

    Dear Matthew,

    You ask a good question and one that could be applied to any number of viruses or infections that we face every time we make the decision to hook up with someone random off an app.

    Every time we decide to hook up with someone we haven’t received an entire up-to-date health scan from (read: basically every time) you are at some risk, but overall we make the call that the risk is worth the play.

    So should Coronavirus be any different?

    An agent for change?

    CREDIT: ©-Vadymvdrobot-Depositphotos

    I think coronavirus could be a good engine for change or adaptation for our community. It might invite us to start talking more openly about our sexual health, testing and well-being in general and there’s no harm in having a conversation with someone about their health before you hook up.

    The more we talk about these things, hopefully, the less stigma there is attached to our health.

    Is coronavirus overhyped?

    Despite the massive media attention given to coronavirus, it’s worth acknowledging that every year the human race battles flu, colds and other infections. The LA Times notes that this flu season alone 32 million Americans were infected with influenza, which resulted in 18,000 deaths.

    But with that said, it would be prudent to take some precautions.

    You could ask the person you’re planning to meet with whether they’re likely to have come into contact with the virus – i.e. have they travelled from one of the places hardest hit with the virus – like China, Iran, Italy or South Korea.

    However, given that the incubation period for this virus is assumed to be around two weeks, even someone who isn’t showing any symptoms may actually be carrying the virus.

    Be wary of your own heath – do you have underlying health conditions that could lead to complications should you become infected with the coronavirus.

    Keep the NHS website in your bookmarks for updates from the medical professionals and make your decisions based on their advice.

    Matthew, in the end, it’s up to you. I wouldn’t stop having fun at this stage, but I’d urge you and others to self isolate if you think you’ve started to get symptoms and not just with Corona – don’t hook up with guys if you’ve got a cold, flu or if you’re in treatment for an STI.

    Let’s not spread infections around.

    We’re a community that needs to protect each other.

    While I’m at it, why not go for a sexual health check-up – ask about PrEP, the HPV and Hepatitis vaccines.

    Got a dilemma you’d like us to answer? Click here

  • There’s no evidence to suggest that people living with HIV are at greater risk of contracting Coronavirus

    There’s no evidence to suggest that people living with HIV are at greater risk of contracting Coronavirus

    The British HIV Association (BHIVA) has issued a statement saying that people living with HIV are at no greater risk regarding coronavirus.

    However, the BHIVA has recommended that people living with HIV should follow the updates from Public Health England, Health Protection Scotland, Public Health Wales, the Department of Health Northern Ireland and the Health Service Executive Ireland.

    It also suggests that people with HIV received an “influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in line with BHIVA vaccine guidelines.”

    According to a statement, those who are at risk from Coronavirus are older age people and those with “co-morbidities including renal disease and diabetes”.

    Matthew Hodson, The Executive Director of Nam AIDSMAP took to twitter to say, “At this point, there’s no evidence to suggest that people with #HIV are more likely to acquire #Coronavirus – or are more likely to have serious illness or death if they do acquire the virus. People with HIV should take the same precautions as everyone.”

    How to limit your exposure to COVID-19

    Advice from health professionals at this time suggest practising good hand sanitisation such as washing your hands regularly and using anti-bacterial soaps or gels, particularly if you’re preparing food and after using the toilet.

    You should also be covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing with tissues and then discarding those tissues after use.