u a bc-magic-tests - a1740 11-08 1043

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^(ATTN: National editors) (Includes optional trims)<

^Clinics Swamped With Requests for AIDS Tests (Los Angeles)<

^By Scott Harris and Stephanie Chavez=

^(c) 1991, Los Angeles Times=

LOS ANGELES _ An American public suddenly alarmed by the epidemic spread of

the virus that causes AIDS flooded health clinics nationwide Friday with

requests to be tested for HIV and for information about the disease.

The startling news that basketball superstar Earvin ``Magic'' Johnson has

contracted HIV prompted a rush of inquiries that health officials said reflects

greatly increased fear over the escalating rate of heterosexual transmission of

the virus.

Clinics and AIDS hotlines nationwide have been swamped with calls from the

moment Johnson delivered his announcment Thursday, officials reported.

At the Edmund D. Edelman Health Center in Hollywood, about 200 persons

called to make appointments between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Thursday. The clinic, Los

Angeles County's largest anonymous testing center, normally conducts 700 tests

in an entire month.

``It's created a bit of a panic,'' said Hugh Rice, the clinic's director.

``We could see this in their urgency in wanting to be tested now _ today. But

most test sites are going to be booked a considerable amount of time in the

distance because of the volume of calls.

``The important thing in all of this is we don't want to panic. But we do

want people who really might be at risk to consider being tested.''

At the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, officials said calls to their

AIDS hotline had skyrocketed.

``The hotline normally gets about 3,000 calls a day,'' said Ann Sims, a CDC

spokeswoman. ``Yesterday from 5 to midnight they had over 40,000 calls that

attempted to come in. Of course, they couldn't handle all of that but the

equipment registered that many attempts to call in.'' The response, officials

said, reflected a mixture of legitimate concerns and unwarranted fears about a

virus that the CDC estimates is now carried by between 1 million and 1.5

million Americans.

The announcement by Johnson, who is widely perceived as having contracted

HIV through heterosexual contact, underscores the rapidly rising rate of

transmission between males and females. According to a recent CDC report, more

than 11,200 of 186,895 AIDS deaths nationwide could be linked to heterosexual

transmission of HIV. The rate of transmission has increased most rapidly among

heterosexual women.

Most of the inquiries and requests for HIV test appointments, several

authorities around the nation said, have come from persons who say they have

never participated in so-called ``high risk'' behavior such as homosexual anal

intercourse and the sharing of needles in intravenous drug use.

The AIDS virus is so prevalent that many health officials warn that

unprotected sex between a man and woman who have not been in a monogamous

relationship and do not know each other's sexual history should be considered

risky. Condom sales reportedly increased Friday _ a sign the ``safe sex''

warnings were being taken more seriously.

``There's an awakening going on,'' said Anthony Sprauve at AIDS Project Los

Angeles, where a hotline bank of eight phones were busy continuously Friday.

``People are finally looking for the information they should have been getting

for years. People are realizing this can affect them and their families.''

Even before Johnson's annoucement, Spauve said, APLA had definitely

witnessed an upward trend in calls from heterosexuals in recent months. In the

last two months, he said, 66 percent of calls were from people identifying

themselves as heterosexual. But since Johnson's press conference, 95 percent

have been from heterosexuals.

Strong reactions were also found in an informal survey of clinics and AIDS

hotlines in New York, Miami, Houston, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland, Hartford,

Conn. and Lansing, Mich.

Margaret Karanjai, spokeswoman for the New York City health department, said

nine extra workers had to be added to staff its AIDS hotline. People also

flocked to HIV testing sites to make to make appointments in person.

At Houston's Audette Clinic, the calls have tripled from about 100 to 300 a

day. ``The response has been huge,'' said counselor Cindy Lavine. ``There's an

upsurge of heterosexuals calling, people who are suddenly concerned _ they

never considered they were truly at risk and are now full of questions.''

^(Begin optional trim)<

In Magic Johnson's hometown of East Lansing, Mich., Michael DiAngelo Bishop,

a 22-year-old senior at Michigan State University, Johnson's alma mater, summed

up the feelings of many.

``I'm going to get tested myself,'' Bishop said. ``If it could be him, it

could be anybody.

At clinics large and small throughout Southern California, the response

reflected a widespread sense of trepidation and fear of the unknown.

^(End optional trim)<

Despite years of public education, many people, health workers said, still

don't understand that the AIDS virus is transmitted chiefly through unprotected

anal and vaginal sex, and through the sharing of contaminated needles by

intravenous drug users.

^(Optional add end)<

Lupe Gomez, a counselor at the Roybal Comprehensive Health Center in Los

Angeles, said she has tried to calm fears of a woman who wondered about the

casual contact between herself and her children with her HIV-positive

father-in-law.

``She's concerned her two little girls might have it because of hugging and

kissing,'' Gomez said. Gomez said she assured the woman she had little reason

to worry _ to no avail.

Gomez also talked to two girls who were afraid they may have contracted HIV

when they got tattoos.

``I told them your main concern should be your sex partner and what he's

done and what you've done,'' she said. ``Not your tattoo.''

``Males have called and said I have wife and a girlfriend and now they are

very worried,'' said George Porter, Roybal Center clinic manager. He said there

was an upsurge in calls from young Latino males Friday. ``Guys are very macho

and they say they are seeing four people and want to be tested. ''

Many people also don't they understand that a negative HIV test result is

not necessarily a clean bill of health because of the incubation period between

infection and the appearance of HIV on a blood test, authorities said. Repeated

tests are recommended.

LAT-WP 11-08 2046EST<

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1727 tm--au a bc-magic-safesex - a1741 11-08 0619

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^(ATTN: News, Financial, Sports editors) (Includes optional trims)<

^Condom Stocks Skyrocket After Magic Vows to Promote `Safe Sex'<

^By Kevin E. Cullinane=

^(c) 1991, Los Angeles Times=

Stocks of leading U.S. condom makers and companies researching AIDS

treatments skyrocketed Friday, reacting to professional basketball star Earvin

``Magic'' Johnson's announcement that he has the human immunodeficiency virus

that causes AIDS.

The movement on Wall Street Friday reflects speculation that the Los Angeles

Lakers guard will help to change the perception of people with HIV and focus

more attention on ``safe sex'' issues.

Although industry watchers said that heightened attention about the AIDS

virus would likely increase sales of condoms, they added that it would have no

prolonged effect on investments in companies that are developing drug

treatments.

Johnson announced at a news conference Thursday that he would retire from

professional basketball because he had tested positive for HIV.

Friday, the day after the disclosure, stock of Carter-Wallace Inc.,

manufacturer of Trojan and other leading brands of condoms, soared 8 a share

early in the day to 113 on the New York Stock Exchange. The New York-based

company, which is estimated to hold more than half of the U.S. condom market,

leveled later in the day to close at 109{ a share, up 4}.

The shift in the company's stock price Friday was directly in reaction to

Johnson's disclosure, said Diana K. Temple, an analyst with Salomon Bros. Inc.

Temple, who follows Carter-Wallace, said that the company could see further

increases in its stock price if Johnson encouraged young men to use condoms.

``That could really have a great impact on condom sales,'' she said. ``A lot

of men have been reluctant to use condoms because it's seen as unmasculine.

It's very difficult to educate people about preventing AIDS, but this may start

to change that.''

Meanwhile, biotechnology companies researching AIDS and studying treatments

for the virus saw similar rapid jumps in their stock Friday.

The news ``will shift attention toward treatment of AIDS patients earlier

on, and that's the best thing we can do right now,'' said James McCamant,

editor of the Medical Technology Stock Letter in Berkeley, Calif. ``But it's

irrational to invest in companies developing treatment drugs, because their

stock will come down in a day, a week or a month.''

A spokeswoman for Burroughs Wellcome Co., maker of AZT or zidovudine, a drug

approved to treat the AIDS virus, said that Johnson's disclosure would have

little effect on stock prices on biotechnology companies. The company does not

trade in the United States.

^(Optional add end)

``Magic Johnson's announcement has put AIDS back in the spotlight,'' said

Kathy Bartlett, a spokeswoman for Burroughs Wellcome. ``Burroughs Wellcome has

always focused on the issue of people living with AIDS, but I don't think the

announcement will have a direct impact on stock.''

Carlsbad-based Immune Response Corp. had a stock improvement Friday, similar

to condom makers. Its stock shot up 3{ Friday to 57{ in late over-the-counter

trading, after peaking earlier in the day at 59}. The company is conducting

tests on HIV-positive people of a theraputic vaccine that could slow the spread

of the virus.

Stock for other AIDS-research companies also rose Friday. Stock of Medimmune

Inc., a company based in Gaithersburg, Md., that is involved in creating a

vaccine to fight the AIDS virus, rose 2{ to 53 in over-the-counter trading.

Repligen Corp., based in Cambridge, Mass., was up half a point to 18; Biogen

Inc., also from Cambridge, rose a point to 44{; and Genentech Inc., of San

Francisco, was up a quarter to 35 on the New York Stock Exchange.

LAT-WP 11-08 2047EST<

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1716 tm--au i bc-magic-bush - a1707 11-08 0819

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^(ATTN: News editors) (Includes optional trims)<

^Editors: A duplicate of this story is moving on the All-Sports! wire<

^Bush Calls Magic a Hero, Defends Administration AIDS Policies (Rome)<

^By James Gerstenzang and Marlene Cimons=

^(c) 1991, Los Angeles Times=

ROME _ President Bush described Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Earvin

``Magic'' Johnson Friday as ``a hero to me'' and ``to everybody (who) loves

sports,'' and called Johnson's dramatic disclosure that he is infected with the

AIDS virus ``a tragedy.''

Bush, speaking at a news conference here before leaving for The Hague,

Netherlands, said that Johnson _ who has vowed to educate young people against

the dangers of AIDS _ is ``a gentleman who has handled his problem in a

wonderful way.''

``Oh, it's sad. Good man,'' Bush said early in the day.

Later, meeting with reporters at the end of a NATO summit conference, Bush

had more words of praise for Johnson.

``I can't tell you the high regard that I have for this athlete,'' Bush

said. ``And I can empathize with him.''

Bush, who watched Johnson's televised announcement of his condition

Thursday, said that he ``saw the heartbreak of some of the kids that idolize

him. And so it's a tragedy, but handled well _ and I don't want to sound like

this is some _ carrying it further than it is _ because he might do very, very

well, indeed.''

Bush again defended his AIDS policies, declaring that his administration had

``increased funding dramatically'' to fight the disease.

``If there's more I can do to empathize, to make clear what AIDS is and what

it isn't, I want to go the extra mile, because my heart goes out to them,''

Bush said.

``I've been to hospitals and seen them; I've talked to some of the victims

of AIDS,'' he continued. ``I can't say I've done enough; of course, I haven't.

But I don't like the allegation, if it is, that I don't care, because I do

very, very much.

``We're doing well as an administration, but if I need to do more and

Barbara does, to express the concern we feel, we'll do it,'' he said. ``I say

Barbara because I think she is trying very hard also. When you hold those

little AIDS babies in your arms, I think that sends a powerful message, not

just of love, but of what AIDS is and is not.''

At the same time, Bush attacked the radical AIDS activist organization ACT

UP, which has fought for increased funding for AIDS research and early access

to experimental drugs, and against AIDS-related discrimination.

The group staged a disruptive demonstration near Bush's vacation home in

Kennebunkport, Maine, this past Labor Day. During the 1990 International AIDS

Conference in San Francisco, ACT UP conducted a noisy demonstration against

Louis W. Sullivan, secretary of health and human services, while he was

attempting to deliver a speech to meeting participants. Sullivan was infuriated

with the group's behavior.

``I think some of the machinations of ACT UP, which is an extreme

organization, hurt the cause of understanding _ denying people the right to

speak _ this doesn't help the cause,'' Bush said.

Larry Kramer, a New York writer and founding member of ACT UP, responding to

Bush's comments about the group, said that the president did not understand the

beneficial results of ACT UP's activities.

``There are 23 treatments out there that would not be available to AIDS

sufferers if not for ACT UP's pressuring,'' Kramer said. ``If such results are

an endangerment of free speech, then God help the health care system in this

country.''

^(Optional add end)

In Washington, tributes to Johnson poured in from all quarters, while

several AIDS organizations criticized the federal Centers for Disease Control

for reducing funding for AIDS education programs, particularly in the minority

community.

``Magic Johnson's unique magic on the basketball court and in life has

already made him a hero and role model for millions,'' said Sen. Edward M.

Kennedy, D-Mass., chairman of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee.

``The grace and courage and commitment he displayed yesterday made his magic

even greater. His action is likely to mark the beginning of the major new

effort the nation urgently needs in the battle against AIDS.''

Johnson ``holds the all-time NBA record for assists,'' Kennedy said. ``but

this may be his most important assist of all.''

Surgeon General Antonia Novello said that Johnson's announcement ``shows us

that out of tragedy can spring great courage and a limitless ability to make a

difference. I praise Magic's courage, and I welcome his amazing ability, unique

only to him, to reach our nation's young people. ... This daunting task before

us _ of saving our young people from AIDS _ is now within our reach, thanks to

the grace and courage of Magic Johnson.''

LAT-WP 11-08 2013EST<

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1713 tm--au a bc-magic-ads - a1702 11-08 0622

(ATTN: News, Financial, Sports editors) (Includes optional trims)<

^Editors: a duplicate of this story is moving on the All-Sports!<

^Sponsors May Use Magic Johnson in Ads About AIDS (Los Angeles)<

^By Bruce Horovitz=

^(c) 1991, Los Angeles Times=

LOS ANGELES _ It may be inspiration _ or desperation _ but some of Magic

Johnson's biggest corporate sponsors are lining up to feature the superstar

athlete in ads that would discuss the HIV virus that on Thursday forced him to

retire from basketball.

Executives at Converse shoes and Pepsi indicated on Friday that they are

pondering such actions. They would also consider making sizable donations to

any research fund Johnson may set up. At the same time, many AIDS organizations

are anxious to get Johnson on their side.

Next week, Converse expects to announce a campaign featuring Johnson in a

public service role, said a spokesperson. And while Pepsi has not yet made that

commitment, ``anything is possible,'' said spokesman Andrew Giangola. ``It

would be new and uncharted waters for us.''

At an emotional press conference Thursday, Johnson said he had contracted

the HIV virus that leads to AIDS. He said he now wants to become an educational

spokesman on the virus.

The general feeling among advertising experts is that Johnson is such a well

recognized _ and beloved _ public figure that any association with him right

now will be positive. ``This guy is probably the single most adored American,''

said New York adman Jerry Della Femina. ``If I could get him for one of my

clients, I'd use him tomorrow.''

Any corporate ads from Pepsi or Converse that speak to the AIDS issue

``would be an incredible gesture,'' said Keith Gould, director of creative

services at the New York agency NW Ayer. ``If I was Converse or Pepsi, I

wouldn't have to think two seconds to do it.''

But only one month after signing Johnson to a long-term contract, executives

at Nestle Chocolate & Confection Co. remained mum about their plans. Johnson

had not appeared in any Nestle ads yet, but the company had big plans for him

because he was their only spokesman.

There is also keen interest in Johnson from AIDS education groups. Among

them, executives at the AIDS Project Los Angeles say Johnson could be effective

talking to youths about AIDS. ``You don't change your behavior until you know

someone with AIDS,'' said Mark Senak, director of client services. ``Now, kids

not only know someone with AIDS _ it's their hero.''

Advertising executives say any AIDS commercial featuring Johnson should be

straightforward. Some suggest simply showing clips from his press conference.

hand him the microphone and let him talk.''

^Optional

The neophyte New York ad industry group, Ads Against AIDS, says it wants

Johnson to appear in its next TV spot. On Wednesday, the group released a slew

of dramatic public service spots.

One of the ads, created by Ayer, features scenes from a small town, such as

a waitress serving at a diner. ``Imagine a city where a killer murdered

everyone,'' says an unseen narrator.'' A map of the city appears. ``In 10

years,'' the narrator says, ``AIDS has claimed enough lives to populate an

entire city.'' That number: 110,000 people.

Just how uneducated about AIDS is the public? While filming a public service

spot in one small town, the cast and crew were approached by inquisitive

locals. Informed that the crew was filming an AIDS educational spot, the

residents ``looked horrified and walked away,'' said HelayneSpivak, executive

creative director at Young & Rubicam.

LAT-WP 11-08 2008EST<

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^(wap) (ATTN: National editors)<

^Quayle Endorses `Abstinence' to Block Spread of AIDS (LA)<

^By Lou Cannon=

^ 1991, The Washington Post=

LOS ANGELES _ Vice President Quayle reacted Friday with sympathy to the

plight of Earvin ``Magic'' Johnson but said ``abstinence'' was a better answer

than ``safe sex'' in blocking spread of the AIDS virus.

Johnson, an all-star guard for the Los Angeles Lakers professional

basketball team, announced Thursday that he has tested positive for the human

immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS.

In Rome, President Bush called Johnson ``a hero to me'' and said his

infection with HIV ``is a tragedy. ... I think he's a gentleman who has handled

his problem in a wonderful way.''

Bush cited increased research funding in his administration's effort to try

to conquer AIDS and added, ``If there's more to emphasize to make clear what

AIDS is and what AIDS isn't, I want to go an extra mile because my heart goes

out to them (AIDS patients).''

Asked by a reporter at a breakfast meeting if there was something he could

do to encourage ``safe sex'' among young people, Quayle replied, ``If there is

something that I could personally do to encourage young people, I would not say

safe sex, I would talk about abstinence. That's a sure cure, and we ought to be

talking about it.''

Quayle went on to say that ``if there are people who are going to venture

into certain areas, there are risks, and I'm sure Magic Johnson is going to

point out that risk to people.''

The vice president vigorously defended the Bush administration's record in

trying to combat AIDS, saying that the federal government was spending more per

apita in trying to find cures for the disease than it was on cures for cancer

or heart disease.

He said the Food and Drug Administration would next week announce

``breakthroughs'' to speed approval of new drugs, including drugs that could

help AIDS victims.

Responding to questions about whether the administration has done enough in

the fight against AIDS, Quayle said, ``There's a lot of money, there's a lot of

people who respond. ... I think we have done quite a bit.''

Quayle was unstinting in his praise of Johnson, whom he called ``a great

champion'' and ``true gentleman.'' The vice president recalled the 1979 NCAA

basketball championships in which Michigan State, with Johnson as its star,

defeated Indiana State, led by Larry Byrd, who went on to become a star with

the Boston Celtics.

``Magic won then, and in my book, he's still a winner,'' Quayle said.

Johnson in his ``new career'' will make a contribution to awareness about

the threat of HIV, Quayle said, adding, ``hopefully there will be a medical

breakthrough'' before Johnson contracts AIDS.

LAT-WP 11-08 1914EST<

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^(ATTN: Entertainment editors)<

^DU BROW ON TV: Magic Strikes at the Heart of HIV Crisis<

^By Rick Du Brow=

^ 1991, Los Angeles Times=

HOLLYWOOD _ Magic Johnson may have slam-dunked television's resistance to

honest treatment of AIDS-related issues.

The barriers have already been broken to some degree in TV news and

entertainment, but more often than not, the subject is treated gingerly, if at

all.

But Johnson's dignified announcement that he has tested positive for the HIV

virus, which causes AIDS, could well have more impact on TV than the producers

and advocacy groups who have pushed for frankness in dealing with the disease

and demanded more openness about the use of condoms.

TV coverage of the Laker star's bombshell disclosure indicated the enormous

national popularity he has achieved in more than a decade as a major American

presence. In fact, with his television exposure, he has transcended sports

tself and become a larger-than-life hero.

Thus, for the TV medium that made him a star to ignore the real message of

is demeanor in his announcement Thursday would be criminal. His presentation _

carried all over TV _ virtually put the seal of approval on encouraging

television to face up to the crisis of the ever-spreading HIV virus.

TV has been much more receptive than films to AIDS stories, but it is still

woefully deficient in presenting programs that educate the public.

Yet how can TV continue to have such an attitude after acknowledging the

importance of the story with its extraordinary coverage of the Johnson news

conference and its aftermath of opinions from Laker physician Michael Mellman

and other experts?

At one point, the conference was carried live by the seven largest TV

stations in Los Angeles, plus such cable channels as CNN and ESPN.

The story then penetrated the nation in the most pervasive manner as it was

carried, at length, at the top of the nightly network roundups anchored by

Peter Jennings, Dan Rather and Tom Brokaw.

It is almost inconceivable that TV, after playing Johnson's story so big,

would put its head back in the sand when it comes to future programming.

How can the hypocrisy that buries condom ads on TV continue after Johnson

warned repeatedly about safe sex and indicated that he would carry the message

to young people as a spokesman about the virus?

And how can advertisers who are sensitive to subjects such as AIDS and the

HIV virus ignore what now, more than ever, is out in the open?

Watching the reaction to Johnson's disclosure in TV interviews _ with

ordinary people from around the nation _ was a sure-fire alert to sponsors that

stories about the virus and AIDS are acceptable and urgently necessary viewing.

Sponsors surely are aware that the distinguished ABC series ``Life Goes On''

drew its largest rating ever last Sunday when it launched a story line about a

teen-ager who tests positive for the HIV virus.

TV's pussyfooting on the AIDS crisis was indicated in the past when a PBS

series that originated in 1988, ``AIDS Quarterly,'' was retitled ``Health

Quarterly'' in 1990, even though it offered reports on the disease.

Johnson's news conference, in which he retired as a player _ but said that

he did not have AIDS _ was the kind of personalized breakthrough about the

virus that is particularly dramatized when it strikes celebrities. Actors Rock

Hudson and Brad Davis died of AIDS.

But while Hudson's belated disclosure of AIDS finally made the disease a

ousehold word, Johnson's quick announcement about his HIV virus _ and his use

of TV to spread the word as widely as possible _ was a monumental educational

stroke because it showed a great sports hero, looking in robust health, saying

that if it can happen to him, it can happen to anybody.

As perhaps the greatest celebrity in Hollywood and with the powerful agent

Michael Ovitz as an adviser, Johnson, in his new role, conceivably could

influence the creative output of some of the television and film powers he

nows.

What's more, Johnson will continue to be a constant presence on the

ollywood scene in his new task as an educator about the virus _ unlike Hudson

nd Davis, who kept their affliction secret for a long time.

Hudson did not disclose his illness until shortly before he died in 1985,

lthough friends said that he discovered he had the disease the year before.

Davis, the star of ``Midnight Express,'' who died in September, kept his

infection secret for six years for fear of losing jobs. He left notes for a

book charging that although Hollywood gives benefits and charity affairs for

AIDS, actors do not get work if they are ``even rumored to have HIV.''

But here now is Magic Johnson, an immense potential weapon against such

Hollywood hypocrisy. And anyone who watched his remarkably poised,

straightforward and truly heroic manner as he made his announcement on TV will

never forget it. It was enough to make a viewer weep.

Jess Marlow of KNBC in Los Angeles called it ``the announcement that no one

wanted to hear, no one wanted to believe.'' Yet Johnson was breathtakingly

impressive and gracious almost beyond belief, even singling out and naming

reporters he would miss from his playing days.

In a TV interview, a shaken Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley told how he felt

when he heard the news about Magic: ``It was like someone hit me in the stomach

with a 300-pound hammer.''

Exactly.

But if ever there was a TV role model who lived up to his billing, it was

Magic Johnson on the day he had to quit. He gave a lesson in what style and

class are all about.