Dear Editor:

Thank you for the insights you shared during our last meeting. AIDS and HIV is a broad and complex topic, and as I said, I think it's going to take some time for me to get up to speed not only on the issues and their history, the context of things, then, but also to build a rapport with the ever-widening web of sources I've met in the last week. I was sorely disappointed with the Pelosi article, if only because it wasn't a substantive piece (not to mention poor writing, but that is a secondary concern). I was only able to speak to two sources, albeit both of them major players in the field and wonderful resources in terms of framing the issues, understanding policy as well as providing other names of key people to speak to in the days ahead. So the story was good by way of introduction. But I relied too much on web sites - for stats that's fine (as long as they’re official), - but for reportage, it's not. Most of the stories I've thought of would be great, if I had the time and the space to explore them. But instead of jettisoning them and covering “events” and then getting perspective on them (two or three interviews and more web site reportage, standard surface fare), i.e., the recent pullout by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center of the California AIDSRide, a major annual fundraiser, I'm going to do what you suggested. It's a good story, but doesn't bear out the issues I want to cover, and that I think need to be covered at this point. So, I'm going to take your suggestion that I compress, or make smaller, the stories I want to do by examining a slice of them, or looking at a microcosm of a macro issue, inarticulately phrased. Then I can introduce myself to an issue, understand at least some of the history and context, and speak to the people in the know, and when it's time for me to write a longer, more in-depth piece for Dale's class, I'll be better prepared. I am not trying to dismiss the 600 word pieces, I'm just trying to use them as a learning lab of sorts. Before I tell you a bit about what I have in the works, I want you to know who I am planning on, as well as who I hope to meet with in the near future. I'm speaking to Laura Thomas at the San Francisco Department of Public Health on Friday. I think she'll be a great resource, and a good source for one of the stories I have percolating. I'm also spending a good part of the day at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation on Monday, speaking to staff in different areas to get a better sense of the issues and the appropriate contacts, not only within the Foundation, which is a major player (sorry to overuse that phrase) but also people in the Bay Area (note, not just San Francisco) AIDS and HIV community who would make a good source. I hope, by the way, to spend one day a week making trips to different places and trying to meet people face-to-face before I rely too much on the phone. I think it's critical, too, to see and spend time in some of the places I'm talking to, like the foundations, and hospitals, etc., etc. Before I meet with Fred Dillon and staff on Monday, though, I need to do hours of research. First, I am going to read the Kaiser Family Foundation's web info on AIDS and HIV. The site is comprehensive, and I think will be a wealth of information. Beyond that, I'm going to try to reread some of the coverage on HIV and AIDS that was published in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the epidemic. After that, clearly a priority, I would like to read the SF AIDS Foundation newsletters from the last year, at Mr. Dillon's suggestion. I know from doing earlier research that those letters are full of good, relevant information, and provide a lot of context about current issues. I don't know yet which story I'm going to pursue for next week, but I have three in mind. The first is a story about how the combination use of Viagra and illegal drugs among gay men may lead to an increase in unprotected sex. I think the story would be a good way to introduce myself to the medical community and the prevention community as well. I also think that it's a foundation for longer pieces that I'd like to do, such as a rise in HIV and AIDS rates among minorities and young gay men, and the rise in unprotected sex. I'd like to examine what's happening out their not only based on the numbers or anecdotal evidence, but some combination thereof, which would also bring in a bit of history about AIDS and HIV, and explore some major issues now, such as the underfunding and underprevention, if you will, in minority communities, especially African-Americans, who are now acquiring the disease at alarmingly high rates. Among gay men, drug use as a factor in unprotected sex (like the combo of Viagra and poppers) is among the many causes, or perhaps effects, of a more disturbing trend. The article I originally saw was in the New York Times science section, and the Kaiser Family Foundation update covered it some too. The second article I would like to cover is one like we discussed earlier, choosing a school (elementary or middle or even high school) in the Bay Area where the city or county posts high AIDS/HIV/STD infection rates, and I'd like to examine the prevention programs that they have in place. I read another story today, that might also be a good segway into the larger topic of prevention issues which I’d like to explore more in-depth next quarter, and the article was based on a recent survey indicating that kids who were given sex education before they became sexually active were less likely to get STDs and to practice safe sex, than those who had already started having sex and then were given sex education. For this piece, I would like to speak to Sharon Dolan of the Health Initiative for Youth, among other people, but need to do some serious research work first to find a suitable city/district/school. Lastly, I would like to deal with legislation. Governor Davis just passed, as well as vetoed (the emphasis will be on the veto) some important legislation (won’t bombard you with any further details at this point) and I think his cuts speak to a larger issue in terms of funding for AIDS research, nonprofits and prevention, especially with the economic downturn and in the face of the recent attacks. I will keep you posted, sir, and appreciate any suggestions you might have regarding approach, strategy or sourcing, as well, of course, as your opinions about story generation and basic structure. Hope to hear from you soon. Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Julie