Lunch Break: Condoms, Domestic Abuse, Gas Prices

By Connect Mason News Director Elizabeth Stern

Daily items of interest from all over the news and blog feeds.

One in four girls is infected with an STD, according to a recent government study. For African-Americans included in the study, approximately half were infected. HPV was the most prevalent, affecting 18 percent. Load up on free condoms, which are available by the entrance of Student Health Services.

If you realized you could acquire said condoms too late, you're still, well, screwed. But researchers at the Harvard Medical School have discovered a gene in a type of Asian monkey that may lead to preventing HIV and AIDS.

Another reason to make fun of people who use Macs (This does not in any way express the beliefs or opinions of Connect Mason employees.)

A woman was found in Kansas stuck to the seat of her boyfriend's toilet. It was reported that she had been there for two years, while her boyfriend brought her food and water. She claimed that she did not want to leave and was okay, although further investigation is taking place to confirm whether or not this may have been the result of domestic abuse.

Speaking of domestic abuse, the fifth outbreak of bird flu this year was reported. It has been confirmed that hundreds of birds in China were infected. The virus, also known as H5N1, is responsible for the deaths of 235 people throughout the world. Scientists fear the disease could mutate into a more easily communicable illness among humans. This brings me to my main point: who knew it would be so easy to get rid of that pestering stalker—just take them out to Chik-Fil-A! And hey, throw in some Polynesian sauce just for good measure.

While it has recently been predicted that gas prices would likely rise to $4 over the summer, Maui is already being hit with prices of $3.934 per gallon, the highest price recorded in AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report. Fortunately, Mason is served by the excellent and very efficient Cue Bus system! (At least it's free.)