Breaking the chain before popping the bubble
Lakes DHB Infectious Disease and Sexual Health Physician Dr Massimo Giola says the lockdown for Covid-19 presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to minimise the transmission of serious sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Dr Giola says if people have been serious about Alert Levels 4 and 3, they should not have had sex in six weeks with anyone outside their bubble.
“If people get tested for all STIs now; before social (and sexual!) interaction resumes and they pop the bubble open, we have a serious chance of diagnosing and treating STIs before they are passed on. We might not be able to eliminate STIs and HIV, but we have a serious chance of flattening their curves,” he says.
Dr Giola says 56 Dean Street in Soho (United Kingdom) the biggest sexual health clinic in the UK has seen an 80 per cent fall in gonorrhoea cases and requests for PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis – antiretroviral drugs taken after unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent the acquisition of HIV) under lockdown in London. Now they are calling for everyone to get tested before they resume casual sex, to break the chain of transmission.
Dr Giola encourages the public to contact their GP for an STI check, or to call the sexual health clinic for an appointment if they are uncomfortable about speaking to their GP.
In Taupō individuals can contact 0800Anamata 0800 262 6282.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.4% Yes
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14.1% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Does Your Organisation Need New Flooring?
Is the flooring at your school, early childhood, community or sports centre old and threadbare? Or perhaps you have a new space where there’s no flooring at all. Your organisation could be eligible to receive $2,000 + gst from the RhinoKids Flooring Fund to go towards new flooring. Plus, one lucky organisation will win a $20,000 flooring makeover!
Carpet Court is continuing its’ mission to help improve Kiwi kids’ learning environments by rolling out its’ nationwide fund for the fifth year in a row. Apply today!
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