Abstract

This paper draws on an autoethnographic ‘digital diary’ which the author began after testing positive for HIV in July 2016, until May 2021, to critically assess (mis)representations of both the AIDS and COVID-19 pandemics in the media. Drawing on insights from art, literature, queer theory and social anthropology, the paper focuses on dominant moral and political discourses to show how narratives of blame, shame and guilt about viral transmission contribute to the stigmatisation of ‘at risk’ groups. Concepts of biopower and normative judgement are used to reflect on discourses which construct those who ‘test positive’ for HIV or SARS-CoV-2 as ‘reckless’, ‘risky’ or ‘irresponsible’ subjects. The paper also analyses notes on recent media appearances made by the author to discuss their participation in the PARTNER study, which showed that HIV antiretroviral therapy eliminates the possibility of HIV transmission, including reports in The Guardian, on BBC News, on Sky News, on Channel 5 News, and in the Metro. As the former had reported that the ‘Covid-19 crisis raises hopes of end to UK transmission of HIV’, portrayals of the two pandemics are compared to explore tensions between public health and individual responsibility as normative priorities.

摘要

本文利用作者在 2016 年 7 月至 2021 年 5 月检测出 HIV 阳性后开始的自民族志“数字日记”，以批判性地评估媒体对 AIDS 和 COVID-19 大流行的（错误）表述。该论文借鉴了艺术、文学、酷儿理论和社会人类学的见解，重点关注主要的道德和政治话语，以展示关于病毒传播的责备、羞耻和内疚的叙述如何导致“处于危险之中”群体的污名化。生物权力和规范判断的概念被用来反思将那些对 HIV 或 SARS-CoV-2 “检测呈阳性”的人构建为“鲁莽”、“冒险”或“不负责任”的主题的话语。本文还分析了作者最近在媒体上露面的笔记，以讨论他们参与 PARTNER 研究的情况，卫报、BBC 新闻、天空新闻、第 5 频道新闻和地铁。正如前者所报道的那样，“Covid-19 危机引发了结束英国艾滋病毒传播的希望”，对这两种流行病的描述进行了比较，以探讨作为规范优先事项的公共卫生和个人责任之间的紧张关系。