[drewbug01]

Which doesn't really mean that HIV/AIDS is not dangerous, but rather it underscores how much more dangerous CoViD really is.

I truly hope we manage a better response than the AIDS crisis, because a similar response to COVID-19 would be incredibly devastating.

[ImaCake]

I wonder what HIV would have done if it hit before mass adoption of protective equipment for sex. I think it could have brought civilization to it's knees.

[drewbug01]

Maybe?

I’m not sure that prophylactics really would be the deciding factor. Condoms are older than you might think, but on the other hand usage rates are still relatively low.

And humanity keeps bouncing back from things: for example, the plague (multiple times!)

I think the relatively long incubation time is probably what would have made it especially bad if it had taken hold earlier - say, in the 1800s when our understanding would have been limited and our ability to track it worse. It might have been much, much worse then.

[koheripbal]

Not really because penis / vaginal sex still had a low risk of transmission.

That's why it erupted in the gay community first.

[blfr]

Before mass adoption of protective equipment for sex people had the social technology to deal with it: monogamy.

[drewbug01]

Alas, people have been promiscuous for all eternity. Even “monogamous” people cheat.