The Why: Philly Explained
The Why: Philly Explained
WHYY
HIV-era policy still limits gay men from giving blood during COVID
14 minutes Posted Sep 21, 2020 at 7:30 pm.
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Antibody-rich plasma from people who’ve recovered from COVID-19 is one treatment being researched to help those still battling the virus. But an estimated 360,000 people willing to donate their plasma are not allowed to do so — despite the fact it could save roughly a million Americans. WHYY’s Zoe Read explains why a relic of the 1980s HIV epidemic still limits gay men from giving blood. She says Philly area politicians and LGBTQ advocates are pushing back.