Sex ed in the U.S. is arguably terrible (Wait, can something that barely exists be terrible?) but it’s unclear as to whether or not we knew it was this terrible.
A recent report in USA Today stated that there is no universal standard for sex ed in the U.S. and less than half of states mandate sex education. Further, President Trump’s 2019 budget allocates $75 million for abstinence-only programs. Comprehensive sex ed, defined as “age-appropriate, medically-accurate information on a broad set of topics related to sexuality,” has no dedicated federal funding stream.
This level of terrible is not new though, and the lack of information is creeping out into the human population in truly distressing ways.
Case in point, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently tweeted:
We say it because people do it: Don’t wash or reuse #condoms! Use a fresh one for each #sex act. https://go.usa.gov/xU5vh
Not known for it’s cheekiness, the CDC is apparently is saying this “because people do it.” Rinse and/or reuse condoms, that is.
The link in the tweet takes readers to educational material related to condom effectiveness, including a link to “The Right Way to Use a Male Condom.”
Smdh… Except for the fact that this level of non-understanding related to a commonplace birth control and STI mitigation method is fairly appalling. Again, the CDC is not knows for it’s cheekiness, Twitter sass or general thirstiness. I believe them when they say they are saying this because it’s an issue — which points to the wider social issue of poor to non-existent sex education in the U.S.
CNN, who reported the tweet with shock and awe similar to my own, asked “so why can’t you reuse condoms,” anyway. Like, why is this a serious problem? Elizabeth Torrone, an epidemiologist with the CDC’s Division of STD Prevention, told them reused condoms “won’t work as well.”
“Condoms prevent the spread of most STDs and likely reduce the risk of all STDs, but a condom is only effective when used correctly,” Torrone told CNN.
“Incorrect use, such as reusing a condom or using more than one at a time, diminishes the protective effect of condoms by leading to condom breakage, slippage, or leakage,” Torrone added.
If you’re washing and/or reusing condoms, stop. Though I’m happy you’re mindful of safer sex practices, this is not the correct way to use condoms. CNN shared that the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the need for both better education on effective condom usage, as well as free or low-cost distribution options.
Thus, you have no excuse!
We say it because people do it: Don't wash or reuse #condoms! Use a fresh one for each #sex act. https://t.co/o3SPayRf9m pic.twitter.com/AwkPqE9YMl
— CDC STD (@CDCSTD) July 23, 2018
Image via Paige Foster.
