The Petri Continent

Also on BBC's site today is a story on AIDS in Africa.

In the next 20 years, the UN warns the infection rates among Africans could skyrocket to 10% of the continent's population, or 90 million people. That's three times Canada's population.

Most signs indicate that AIDS started in Africa. Who knows? Maybe they're our canary in the gold mine. Do we really want to wait and see what happens to the canary?

Where then hell is the West on this issue? Are we really doing all we can? Most folks say nay.

AIDS ain't gonna stay there, people. There is transportation. They can get off their island, so to speak. It's time we stepped in, not only for them, but for our sakes, too.

It's just freakin' time.

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From the article on the BBC, in regards to the current levels of assistance provided to Africa from the world:

"...the UN offers hope that the effective use of resources could eventually end the AIDS epidemic in Africa.

At the same time, it warns that current levels of action could see the disease bring the entire continent to its knees."