Petrelis Files

March 29, 2005

Susan Edgerly
suedge@nytimes.com
Metro Editor
The New York Times

Dear Ms. Edgerly:

On March 25 I informed David Corcoran at the Times' science desk about the current quarterly HIV surveillance reports for New York City, and the apparent decline of HIV infections.

Mr. Corcoran wrote back saying he had passed the information along to the Metro health editor, who I hope understands the importance of the HIV stats for New York City and why they should be reported in the Times.

I spoke yesterday with Times reporter Andrew Jacobs both about his February 15 article in which he erroneously claimed "a growing number of gay men become infected [with HIV] despite warnings about unsafe sex," and the fact that the Department of Health in New York City is actually showing declines, not growth, in overall HIV infections and those among gay men.

So far, neither a correction to the incorrect reporting on February 15 nor a full story about the HIV stats in New York City has appeared in the Times.

My question for you is, When will the Times see fit to print the truth about the falling HIV infection rate in New York City?

A prompt reply is requested.

Regards,
Michael Petrelis