Main content

21. No Angel: When is spreading infectious diseases a crime?

A German popstar is convicted for recklessly transmitting HIV. Should knowingly spreading an infectious disease be a crime, and what does that mean for COVID-19 rule breakers?

Popstar Nadja Benaissa was convicted of recklessly transmitting HIV. She was blackmailed and attacked by the press. Did she deserve the hatred she received?

On this episode of Bad People, presenters Dr Julia Shaw and Sofie Hagen discuss whether knowingly spreading an infectious disease should be criminalised and what that means for COVID-19 rule breakers.

Is consenting to getting HIV legally possible? What are the ethical problems raised by putting someone with HIV or AIDS in prison? And why are we obsessed with hunting down ‘patient 0’? Find out how all of these questions and more, apply to our psychology and behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This episode includes citations from The Guardian Interview with Nadja Benaissa, ‘I knew I was HIV positive’.

Warning: This episode contains strong language and references to HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, and drugs and addiction.

Presenters: Dr. Julia Shaw and Sofie Hagen
Producers: Louisa Field & Caroline Steel
Assistant Producer: Simona Rata
Artwork: Kingsley Nebechi
Music: Matt Chandler
Series Editor: Rami Tzabar

Academic Consultants for The Open University:
Dr. Zoe Walkington
Dr. Camilla Elphick

Commissioning Assistant Producer: Adam Eland
Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins
Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps

Bad People is produced in partnership with The Open University and is a ´óÏó´«Ã½ Audio Science Production for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sounds

#BadPeople_´óÏó´«Ã½

Release date:

Available now

37 minutes

Podcast