After a number of protests and “Act Up” incidents by sexuality-related political groups, the local blood banks have relaxed their donation standards, and gay men and various other groups are no longer permanently banned, as long as they remain free of HIV, Hepatitis, and the more common STDs.
Before this happened, I was already concerned about some of the less-than-sterile procedures used by the phlebotomists at my local blood bank.
But after they gave a free pass to potentially dangerous donors, I said “adios,” and permanently ended my 50+ year record of blood donations.
Since I have rare blood factors, they still send me emails every week urging me to come back in, which I ignore.
Hopefully, for my own elderly health, they will perfect artificial blood within the next ten years.
Heck, wall off the entire west coast. Wall off the NE coast, too. After we’re secure from them, then start on the southern wall.