So, I gave blood today. I'm fast at it. Once I was "plugged in" it only took 5 minutes and 42 seconds.But here's what I'm wondering now. You know all those personal questions they ask about whom you've had sexual relations with, what diseases you've had, what medications you've taken, or whether or not you've ever shared needles or done illegal drugs?
Well, they had me answer these questions on a computer, and for each question they showed an illustration.
Sometimes they showed an insect biting someone to represent whatever disease it transmitted. For the HIV question they showed a crowd of people (nice subtext there, not judgmental or anything). Then for hepatitis they showed this one guy's face (multiple times, with every question involving hepatitis). Why? Also, how do you end up having your face used to represent hepatitis? Seriously? Do you sign a release form giving them permission to use your image for that purpose?
The absurdity of those images gave me something to think about for 5 minutes at least.
3 comments:
When I went to give blood ages and ages ago at WashU I was turned away for a) having epilepsy and b) being on the drugs for it. When I explained that I had given blood many times before, both for Lifesource and AT THE HOSPITAL that I had worked at in Evanston, the attendant told me that the rules were 'different' for Lifesource in Missouri. I was kind-of upset at the time, but I guess it really doesn't matter since, like JD, I have AB blood, so it's pretty much useless for the general population. But hey, if he ever needs some (or I do), at least we know of a ready supply!
I am laughing at the absurdity and kind of ickiness of the idea of being the poster child for hepatitis....it's kind of like volunteering for the herpes commercial. Or being the erectile dysfunction guy (but I guess Mike Ditka did that one).
But at least they didn't make the face of hepatitis female, no?
There's a Friends episode about that . . . Joey can't get anyone to go out with him when he becomes the face of a venereal disease on some PSA's.
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