It’s hard to believe that the message, “everyone is responsible for their own health” is being subverted like this.

This is the exact message that was at the heart of HIV and AIDS education efforts in the 1980s and '90s before effective medical treatment became available.

To add more than a dash of irony to the subject, Dr. Anthony Fauci helped formulate that message, hand in hand with professional AIDS activists and educators.

The original meaning of the message was that responsible personal decisions could protect individuals and the community at the same time.

What it meant in practice for gay men was pretty much, “Don’t expose yourself to HIV. You are responsible for not allowing yourself to be penetrated unless your partner is wearing a condom.”

It certainly did not mean make your own decisions about viral transmission. It did not mean ignore the risk of HIV by citing conspiracy theories about other causes of AIDS.

It did not mean be selfish. It meant take responsible personal decisions to protect yourself while protecting your friends and loved ones at the same time.

The idea that people are using that message to put their friends and loved ones in grave danger is just … perverse.