Other commenters are appropriately addressing the nature of other STDs and attitudes at the time. Yes, they were more reckless because until then they pretty m

Other commenters are appropriately addressing the nature of other STDs and attitudes at the time. Yes, they were more reckless because until then they pretty much could be (caveats for the risks already known, but those were equal opportunity offenders). Your lessons on the dangers were based on those learned at this time. When it hit there was no understanding and it was frightening for all.