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Loading ...In Brazil, you’ve got mail – and possibly an STD
08.22.2009 9:00am EDT
(Rio de Janeiro) You’ve got mail – and possibly an STD. The Brazilian Health Ministry has created a Web site to let people inform partners they’ve got a sexually transmitted disease via an e-mailed virtual postcard.
The official in charge of the ministry’s STD and AIDs programs notes that many people have a hard time telling partners they’re infected.Mariangela Simao said in a statement this week that the e-mails may help people “to tackle these diseases directly and with minimum exposure.”
One of the cards shows a young man reclining in his underwear. It reads: “Hi! I don’t know if this is the best way to tell you, but I’ve learned that I have an STD.”
The card suggests the recipient see a doctor.
“…they’ve got a sexually transmitted disease via an e-mailed virtual postcard.”
One might ask how a virtual postcard can give someone a sexually transmitted disease. Nevertheless, are these emails sent anonymously? If so, who would take such an email seriously? Are there any safeguards to prevent pranksters? I have ex’s that would abuse such a system.
I feel the best Approach to notifying a partner that s/he may have been exposed to a STD is to tell him/her personally, either by phone call or vis-à-vis. Heck, here in Michigan the Health Department will notify your partner on your behalf. Emails can be ignored or accidentally deleted. Notifying a partner in person or by human proxy guarantees that your partner has been informed.