“The sex industry in #Seattle (is applicable elsewhere) has seen an unprecedented collapse in demand, making workers worry that they’ll be unable to pay rent and,potentially, more likely to end up in unsafe situations out of desperation” h/t @heatherbarr1
huffpost.com/entry/seattle-…
huffpost.com/entry/seattle-…
In #Seattle, epicenter of US #coronavirusoutbreak, sex workers are one of 1st groups making adjustments:
- Taking temperature every morning and asking clients to do the same
- Instituted no-kissing policies
- Those who can afford to are setting up webcam sites/leaving the city
- Taking temperature every morning and asking clients to do the same
- Instituted no-kissing policies
- Those who can afford to are setting up webcam sites/leaving the city
“I’m already seeing women in danger of moving into homeless encampments or losing custody of their kids,”
Indoor sex workers said regulars have started sending cancellations and new inquiries have dried up entirely. Street-based sex workers say customers have all but evaporated.
Indoor sex workers said regulars have started sending cancellations and new inquiries have dried up entirely. Street-based sex workers say customers have all but evaporated.
“How do you do social distancing when your salary is dependent on socializing?”
Intimate contact is one of most effective ways to contract #CoronaVirus. Sex workers have no social safety net to help w/unexpected loss of income. Many can’t afford to stop working for weeks.
Intimate contact is one of most effective ways to contract #CoronaVirus. Sex workers have no social safety net to help w/unexpected loss of income. Many can’t afford to stop working for weeks.
The sex industry relies on customers from the groups most at risk of contracting the virus and dying from it.
“Four out of five of my clients are men above 60 with at least one pre-existing health condition” #Covid_19
“Four out of five of my clients are men above 60 with at least one pre-existing health condition” #Covid_19
For sex workers, the #coronavirus could not have arrived in #Seattle at a worse time.
Since 2015, the city has experienced an unprecedented spike in homelessness and drug addiction — two factors that have increased the number of people selling sex.
Since 2015, the city has experienced an unprecedented spike in homelessness and drug addiction — two factors that have increased the number of people selling sex.
“Then, in 2018, Congress passed two laws (known as SESTA and FOSTA) that banned escort advertisements from the internet, a move that pushed more sex workers into outdoor prostitution.”
The collapse in demand for sex work due to #coronavirus is driving even greater # of people onto the street to make up for lost income.
“When there’s more girls outside & less demand, people start doing things they wouldn’t normally do & end up in situations that are v unsafe”
“When there’s more girls outside & less demand, people start doing things they wouldn’t normally do & end up in situations that are v unsafe”
There are reports of more violent and coercive behavior from sex buyers.
“This is going to get people killed...Men are using the virus as leverage: ‘I’m already taking a risk seeing you. So why should I use a condom?’”
#Covid_19 #CoronaOutbreak
“This is going to get people killed...Men are using the virus as leverage: ‘I’m already taking a risk seeing you. So why should I use a condom?’”
#Covid_19 #CoronaOutbreak
While its long-term impacts remain unclear, the #CoronaVirus’ most immediate effect is the exacerbation of existing inequalities within the sex industry. #Covid_19
Some parts of the industry have been hit harder. Massage parlors have been losing business for yrs due to high-profile “anti-trafficking” raids (in reality,few massage parlor workers are trafficked;most are undocumented women in 40s & 50s unable to find other forms of employment)
“I think that we will have a brief drop...but ultimately nothing stands in the way of people wanting sex.” #Covid_19 #CoronaVirusUpdate
Read this thread
Please remember communities that are especially vulnerable and at risk from both #Covid_19 and the upheaval around it.
Again and again, it will be communities that are too often ignored or stigmatized.
Be kind. Be compassionate.
We are all vulnerable. We are all connected.
Again and again, it will be communities that are too often ignored or stigmatized.
Be kind. Be compassionate.
We are all vulnerable. We are all connected.
And look for ways to help
