Deaf Outreach Program
2395 Bayview Avenue M2L 1A2 Toronto, ON, Canada

STI Mythbuster: Can birth control pills prevent HIV infection? [Signer] Jeff Panasuik [Image description] The signer is wearing royal blue top scrubs behind black background with medical symbol on left side.... [Transcription] Birth control pills can prevent HIV. Absolutely no. Birth control prevents pregnancy only and is not right kind of prevention for HIV. But there is different drug called Pre-Exposure Prophlaxis, or PrEP for short, is the right kind of medication. If you engage in a high-risk sexual activity such as meeting people for sex. To avoid from getting infected with HIV, you can take PrEP, which will give you protection. For a birth control pill to prevent HIV is not correct information.

Tonight's Live Talk -- Topic is about sexual consent. https://fb.watch/33hB5RyLcl/

Government of Ontario: January 2021 Lockdown & Stay-At-Home Order [Signer: Jeff Panasuik] [Image description] The signer is wearing black buttoned shirt behind black background of Queen's Park entrance building. [Transcription]... Hello. Government of Ontario made announcement today for you to be advised. On Jan. 14th at 12:01am, the whole province Ontario lockdown will be extended for another 28 days until Feb 11th. Also, Stay-At-Home order is now in effect. If you are working, you work from home. All essential services & stores will still be opened. But for non-essential services & stores must be closed by 8pm. The limit for people in your social circle is 5. Reasons are same as last month announcement, COVID-19 cases is still rising and it's a concern. There are some people who do not follow precautions on staying safe. These people are the reason why new cases are rising. Stay-At-Home order is in effect for 28 more days. Schools remain closed across the province. Stay safe!

[Image description] The signer is wearing olive green top scrubs behind black background with medical symbol on left side. [Transcription] Hepatitis A/B/C vaccination is available. No.... We have vaccination for hepatitis A and B. But for hepatitis C, there is no vaccination. If you thought that you are vaccinated for hepatitis A & B, you wouldn't worry about hepatitis C. Not true. If you are vaccinated for Hep. A & B, you can still be infected with hepatitis C. You need to be careful. Best prevention from hepatitis B and C is condom. Even though if you are vaccinated, using condom can protect you from getting hepatitis C.

Another talk show that DOP has participated - a discussion on HIV/AIDS and its impact to community. [Sally Scheel was one of the panelists as well] https://fb.watch/2NB0SGXPY4/

World AIDS Day 2020 - open invitation [Image description] The signer is wearing dark red buttoned shirt with a black background and a large blurred red ribbon on left side. [Transcription] Hello! Hello!... I am thrilled to announce DOP will host WAD - World AIDS Day Celebration on Dec 1, 2020 which is on Tuesday in the evening. For last years, we usually have a gathering for the celebration. This year, we will not have the gathering because of COVID and we need to stay safe. So, instead of gathering, we will have ZOOM webmair for one hour presentation. I am very honoured to announce our keynote speaker for celebration - Sally Scheel. So, we will have ZOOM webmair for this. This is open invitation for you all to participate in the celebration, please email to [email protected] & let them know you are interested to attend, and we will send out ZOOM invitation prior to celebration. I am excited and hope to see you there! WAD 2020 Flyer: https://www.facebook.com/DeafOutreachProgram/posts/10160345994335278

Please help spread the word to Deaf HIV+ folks you know who may be interested in attending. Thank you! <3

ASL Mythbuster: only men can get HIV? [Image description] The signer is wearing royal blue top scrubs behind black background with medical symbol on left side. [Transcription]... Only men get HIV. Nope. Women too. Realistically, women can get infected very easily. It is very easy for men to give HIV to women. Passing HIV from man to man still can happen, just like passing to women. And also, in some cases, passing HIV from woman to woman can happen. HIV itself doesn't discriminate which sex, but infection can still happen to anyone. So, not only men, but woman can get HIV.

ASL Mythbuster: blood contact during sex? [Image description] The signer is wearing royal blue top scrubs behind black background with medical symbol on left side. [Transcription] During sex intercourse, blood contact is impossible.... [Head nodding] Yes. It can happen. During sex intercourse, cum or vagina fluid is very normal. But in some situation when people have rough sex, skin gets pinched and develops rash. Skin vs skin rubbing creates rash, leading to inflammatory open wound. This is how hepatitis C or HIV are able to enter your body from this rash. So, you know, cum and vagina fluid are not only thing you can get STI, but rash too, hence blood to blood contact. It can happen.

For more details in ASL: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=694289384856295