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Shock swc over Magii Johnson's confession increases awareness By J.T. WAGENHEIM Staff Writer Days after NBA superstar Ervin "Magic" Johnson learned he was HIV-infected, the popular consensus around campus seems to be of shock, dismay, and concern. "I am just shocked. You think of heroes like Magic to be invincible. This will just make people think about it (AIDS) a lot more," business freshman Tommy Touchberry said. Since Johnson's announcement last Thursday, widespread concern about AIDS has been more prevalent than ever before. President George Bush declared he would attempt to get more support from Capitol Hill for AIDS. Furthermore, since Johnson's announcement, people seem to realize that AIDS is not just a homosexual and intravenous-drug user disease. Over the past few years, AIDS has stricken the heterosexual community as well. Many people said if a superstar like Magic Johnson can get it, anyone can. "This (AIDS) is one of the only things in our society which doesn't have any prejudices," criminal justice senior Jay Tronco said. "You can be black, white, Oriental, Hispanic, rich or poor and still get AIDS." Many around the USC campus agree it is certainly in their best interest to practice safe sex. Johnson's condition is just a reminder that AIDS can happen to them. "This drives home a heavy message. . . people need to make wiser decisions when it comes to sexuality," Dr. James Turner of the Thomson Health Center said. Local pharmacies have not yet noticed an influx of condom buyers this past weekend, but some say they are expecting heavier sales later in the week. "We are anticipating an increase in sales," said Jo Powell, manager of Eckerd's at Columbia Mall. d i r>i nidiiiuiwL udiiy oanu ui uic layiui oucci riuimacy said he has not noticed any condom sales differences, but said he will know better the effect of Johnson's announcement later in the week. - ' What you wanffa khowpgffl and need to know ** ligg Carolina ? Mil -jl. % f?P| News i on Gamecock T.V. Productions begin in late August. ; OQOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOC I RESTAURANTE MEXICAN o 199 Knox Abbott Drive 5 (Just Across Blossom St. Bridae In C X OPEN DAILY Q Mon - Thurs 11 am - 2:30pm & 5:00pm -10 x Friday 11 am - 2:30pm & 5:00pm -11 pi O Saturday 12 noon -11 pm 2 Sunday 12 noon -10pm 8 Happy Hour: Mon - Sun 5 - 7pm 81 2 foMDinrier Coml | j Choose from 30 Combinatior v j May Not Be Combined With Other Offers. Coupon Expires 1 g | Coupon Not Valid on Fridays. ? 794-3974 ?? 9 ABC REGULATIONS ENFORCED! OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOG eps USC c's illness Johnson appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show Friday night in the first of what he says will be many efforts tr\ onrnhof tho ATHQ Hicaoco onH nrnra w^Anlo tn nro/* i\s vvuii/ui. uiv niA/u vuavoov/ anu ui^v |A/uyiV/ ikJ |/iav" tice safe sex. "I am glad that Magic is doing what the public needs him to do, and that is to bring more attention to the disease. But I think it is sad that something like this has to happen to bring that attention to it," junior Warren Harley said. Johnson also declared he "has to educate the black community as well because the disease is really spreading there." Some students believe this is certainly an issue to be addressed. "I think that in the black community this will definitely bring out more awareness," engineering sophomore Jay Bell said. Over the past few days Johnson's attitude has remained calm, cool, and collective, while many feel that it took a great amount of courage to make the announcement "I admire Magic for his courage throughout this whole ordeal. It definitely took a lot for him to admit what he did," humanities freshman Janice Feldman said. Many USC students are proud Johnson is taking it upon himself to educate the public about AIDS as they extend a great amount of sympathy to him and his family. "It is a tragedy when anyone in or out of the public eye becomes HIV-infected. However, I am glad to see that Magic is going to use his public recognition to spread the message of safe sex and the risk which AIDS poses to all Americans," education graduate John Lowery said. For the same reason people listened to Magic Johnson to drink Pepsi-Cola or wear Converse sneakers, they will listen to him when he talks about AIDS, a group of female USC students said. The first thing many wondered when they heard the news was how Johnson contracted the virus. A spokesman for the Los Angeles Lakers said Johnson contracted it from heterosexual sex, although a specific event and partner could not be pinpointed. Immediately after Johnson delivered his announcement, clinics and AIDS hotlines nationwide became swamped with requests from people to be tested for the HIV infection, officials reported. HI BKMmP! - iiieuMiieu way wui*a days a ye?r, not just the they take up the mom Gervais 9 * WOULD YOU LIKE TO I * RADIO or 1 ^ INTERVIEWING TfflS WEEK * NO EX JL. PERFORMERS/MODELS of all ages for SHOWS, NEWSPAPER ADVERTI 7|77ffgg MAGAZINES, RADIO & TV VOICEiiflMW ^ & EXTRAS IN MOTIO SJSSCffifflH , PERFORMER/MODE sElkiiMLUMt^/y ^ Saturday, November II I \AT~~L 1 *?. ?. 1TC 17QA I . IVdllldUd 1I1I1, FT C9I I-AO Ot UJ J/W ' >00000000 Va4^t \ $25 Registration Fee F X \X k \ Bring Snapshots! 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