In this time of crisis, we are expanding our efforts to include research on the deadly new coronavirus and have established the amfAR Fund to Fight COVID-19 for that purpose. The fact is, amfAR is uniquely positioned to participate in the all-out effort to develop effective treatments and a vaccine for the coronavirus. However, we remain fully committed to HIV research and to finding a cure for the 38 million people worldwide living with HIV. That hasn’t changed. We are not diverting funds to COVID-19 research. All money donated for HIV research will stay in HIV research, whereas all donations to this special fund will be earmarked for research on COVID-19. In these challenging times, we are especially grateful for your generous support.  Frequently Asked Questions.

COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS

We are constantly gathering new information to keep you up to date on the intersection between HIV and COVID-19. As you will see from our video interviews in particular, the hard-won lessons of HIV research are informing the race to find effective treatments and a vaccine for COVID-19.

INTERSECTIONS: HIV AND COVID-19

In this series of short videos, Dr. Rowena Johnston, amfAR VP and Director of Research, talks to HIV researchers about their involvement in the fight against COVID-19.  We’ll be adding new interviews regularly so check this page often. 

Intersections #7: HIV and COVID-19 – COVID-19 and Children  amfAR’s Dr. Rowena Johnston interviews Dr. Betsy Herold of Albert Einstein College of Medicine about her research on COVID-19 in children and in particular the mysterious multi-system syndrome that affects a small number of children, sometimes after they have cleared the virus. Watch the full Intersections series here.

BY THE NUMBERS

RESOURCES

Assessing the Impact of Covid-19 on Black Americans
New amfAR study finds that while disproportionately black counties make up just 22% of all US counties, they account for 52% and 58% of COVID-19 cases and deaths, respectively.

Policy Responses: Parallels Between HIV and COVID-19 

amfAR’s Vice President & Director of Public Policy Greg Millett recently spoke on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s forum on parallels between government responses to HIV and COVID-19. Millett presented COVID-19 data from amfAR’s Ending the HIV Epidemic database, updated daily: ehe.amfar.org

• HIV.gov
• Harm Reduction Coalition: COVID-19 Resources for People Who Use Drugs and People Vulnerable to Structural Violence
• BeatTheVirus.org
• POZ: What People with HIV Need to Know About the New Coronavirus
• AVAC: Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Interim Guidance for COVID-19 and Persons with HIV (NIH)

FROM THE FRONT LINES

• Malaysia: Preparing for a Storm that was Already Here.

• The Philippines: We Try Our Best to Smile

IN THE NEWS

The American Nightmare
The Atlantic – June 1, 2020
On the topic of black victims of COVID-19, leading antiracist voice Ibram X. Kendi writes : “According to the Foundation for AIDS Research, structural factors such as employment, access to health insurance and medical care, and the air and water quality in neighborhoods are drivers of black infections and deaths, and not ‘intrinsic characteristics of black communities or individual-level factors.’” 

What do Coronavirus Disparities Look Like State by State?
NPR – May 30, 2020
NPR uses amfAR’s recent study as a source to demonstrate how communities of color are being hit disproportionately by COVID-19.

Anthony Fauci, Other Prominent Figures Honor the Legacy of Larry Kramer
The Hill – May 28, 2020 
Dr. Anthony Fauci and other notable figures share their memories of legendary AIDS activist and playwright, Larry Kramer, who passed away this week at the age of 84.  

COVID-19 Global Diaries: ‘How My All-Female, HIV-Positive Health Workers are Shielding Other Suffers’
Marie Claire – May 28, 2020
Ilda Kuleba, Country Director for mothers2motherin Mozambique leads a 300-strong team of frontline health workers - all women, all living with HIV. She shares how her powerhouse team is uniquely positioned to help women and children stay safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Americans Aren’t Getting the Advice They Need
The Atlantic – May 28, 2020
As states begin to reopen, an HIV researcher notes how the general public has begun to develop its own guidance on how to cope with a pandemic, “just as the gay community did in the early days of AIDS.” 

How Activists Are Creating A “Queer Response” to COVID-19
Refinery29 – May 28, 2020
A look at how queer activists, including ACT UP have been protesting and organizing a variety of issues related to how COVID-19 is impacting their community. 

COVID-19’s ‘Catastrophic’ Impact on Latino Communities is Driven by ‘Savage Disparities,’ Leaders and Lawmakers Say
CNN – May 27, 2020
This piece looks at COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on minority groups and sources amfAR’s recent study on the topic. 

Two Black Men Died of COVID-19 Five Days Apart. This is What Was Lost.
The Washington Post – May 26, 2020
Key data from amfAR’s recent study on the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 on African Americans is sourced in this story about two black Americans who tragically died from the virus.

LGBTQ People Need Queer Spaces. The Coronavirus Has Locked Them Out.
Vox – May 26, 2020
While the focus is on COVID-19, New York City-based sexual health advocate Jeremiah Johnson, HIV project director at the Treatment Action Group, urges queer people not to lose sight of their own sexual health needs.

Visit the COVID-19 In The News Archive