The outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 has presented an opportunity to revisit some health policies in the 1980s.<br />UPI reports the US Food and Drug Administration on Thursday lessened restrictions that prevent many gay and bisexual men from donating blood.<br />The agency made the changes at the urging of several Democratic lawmakers and gay rights activists.<br />The new guidelines shorten the donation deferral period for sexually active gay and bisexual men from 12 months to three.<br />That means they will now have to abstain from same-sex sexual activity for 90 days before they can donate blood.<br />Men who have sex with other men are at greater risk of acquiring HIV<br /><br />The change in policy lines up with the time it takes to detect the virus in blood following infection.
