In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, another deadly virus continues to rear its ugly head.

HIV is one of the deadliest epidemics in history. More than 75 million people have been infected and nearly 33 million have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the start of the epidemic in the early 1980s.

"In the United States, as of today, approximately 1.2 million people are living with HIV. Of those 1.2 million people, only 86% knew they had HIV, only 65% have received some HIV care, only 50% were retained in medical care and only 56% were virtually suppressed," said North Idaho AIDS Coalition executive director Theresa Davis. "We are still learning about the effects that COVID-19 will have on those with HIV, but believe that people living with HIV are at an increased risk because of weakened immune systems."

Davis said 60% of the population is medical distancing for fear of getting COVID, especially in rural communities where COVID is causing more high-risk behaviors such as substance abuse that could result in the transmission of HIV or hepatitis C.

"Without health care access and insurance, many rural Americans do not seek HIV/hep-C early screening," Davis said. "Deprived of testing, HIV goes undetected and the likelihood of developing late-stage HIV and opportunistic disease increases dramatically."

NIAC is a nonprofit as well as a community public health service organization. It began as a support group and now provides care, prevention and advocacy for people with HIV.

NIAC has 100 clients in North Idaho. It provides free health care access in a service area of 22,000 miles throughout 10 counties.

NIAC has supplied $15,000 worth of face masks and hand sanitizer to people in North Idaho since the onset of the pandemic, it's worked with Panhandle Health District to provide more than 100 locking medicine boxes to community members, and it has given thousands of free HIV and hepatitis C screenings and referrals. It even provides a food pantry for people living with HIV, and smoking cessation services to people living in rural North Idaho.

People in those rural Idaho places are an important population for NIAC's mission, as rural areas tend to experience health care disparities brought on by a health care provider shortage.

"We target those people who experience geographical isolation, a lack of adequate transportation and higher unemployment rates resulting in greater poverty levels," Davis explained.

"We focus our services toward the LGBTQIA-plus community, transgenders, minorities, people who use drugs, sex workers and those who are uninsured or underinsured," she said. "The people NIAC targets are rural Americans who are low income and who are noninsured or underinsured and may not seek care; thereby, putting them at greater risk for poorer health outcomes than their urban counterparts."

At 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1, which is World AIDS Day, NIAC will present "There's Always Time for Tea," an online high tea event via Zoom webinar.

This event will touch on reducing the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS as well as an understanding of U=U, which means that people living with HIV who maintain an undetectable viral load by taking and adhering to antiretroviral therapy cannot sexually transmit the virus to others.

Davis said the event is for those who are committed to ending the HIV epidemic by helping NIAC promote awareness and end the stigma.

A donation of $25 will reserve a spot in the discussion, as well as cover two royal icing cookies and a flowering tea. Proceeds will benefit NIAC.

Info: www.northidahoaidscoalition.org