Irish Examiner view: Message of hope as the band plays on

Although there has been a devastating loss of life and illness, we have learned to live with the HIV/Aids pandemic

Governments are struggling to communicate difficult messages but the vaccination programme is holding strong.

Then, as now, we seemed to be at the mercy of a terrifying virus that could strike anyone down. Then, as now, the source of our affliction was unclear. 

Then, as now, there were multiple theories about how it moved from victim to victim. Then, as now, the cost of combating infection could be counted in billions.