Hello Sir or Madam, I have a quick grammar question regarding the following sentence:

Doctors tested me for HIV, but I knew you couldn’t get that from hugging.

Is it more correct to say "can't" or "couldn't" if it's a statement that I still believe to be true but also believed in the time being (which was the past)?

Question

Hello Sir or Madam, I have a quick grammar question regarding the following sentence:

Doctors tested me for HIV, but I knew you couldn’t get that from hugging.

Is it more correct to say "can't" or "couldn't" if it's a statement that I still believe to be true but also believed in the time being (which was the past)?

fools101 · Answer

I think it's: Doctors tested me for HIV, but I knew you Can't  get that from hugging. it would be Can't  but idk i can be wrong. 
hope this helps!

anonymous · Answer

If you use the word " knew," then "couldn't" is correct.  You can also write it like this, which I think sounds better...
Doctors tested me for HIV, but I know you can't get that from hugging.