Prostitution and COVID-19

[Howard]

I read two articles concerning prostitution and COVID-19. The first one was about how they will earn less money due to clients being scared of getting the coronavirus. I think the clients' fear is justified because, well, you don't go see a prostitute to practice social distancing. I felt that their situation will be like many others in the crisis and the article kind of left me cold. Welcome to the club, ladies.

The second article I saw shocked me more. It included pictures of women working the streets, desert streets might I add. The first thing I thought was ''How dare they not doing their share against the virus!?". Then I thought that they probably have pimps forcing them or they might also risk it in order to earn a fix of the drug they are addicted too. Though I feel more compassion towards them than I orginaly did, I still see it as a threat to public health.

Should they be taken into protective custody until things blow over? Should there be a sensibilisation campaign geared towards them and their clients so they stay home? Maybe a mix of both? Do you have a better solution? Do you even see it as a problem?

[Skycaptain]

Given that most prostitutes are forced into the role, they probably have no choice but to carry on. If there were the resources to take them off the streets the authorities would have done so, but no money, no people, no resources. Can't even lock up the punters as the jails are full. 

[Lord Jade Cross]

Err I don't think authorities are so benevolent.

 

As for the question, really what difference is there between a prostitute and any other human that's walking the streets right now? Because last I checked there are plenty of people out on the streets where they shouldn't be, doing things they shouldn't be doing and stating things that they should know better like "this whole thing won't affect me or anyone"

 

Even today, when I went out to buy a few groceries because there was hardly anything left, I passed by people bitching about how there shouldn't be any quarantines

[everywhere and nowhere]

In a fair society prostitution shouldn't exist. In a perfect society people would only have sex with someone they love and refrain from having sex if the only other option would be abusing somone.

[Chef Remy]

Prostitution is not illegal in all countries. Most countries in Europe; Germany and Netherlands. Prostitution is legal and they have Brothels. Prostitution is legal in Las Vegas, NV....In Europe they have people that interview people working in brothels and inspect the brothels...So yes it is business and like other legitimate business they are effected by the coronavirus.

Do agree or understand prostitution, No.

But think it should legalized and regulated in the United States.

Not all prostitutes or sex workers are forced into it either.

[Grumpy Alien]

4 hours ago, Nowhere Girl said:

In a fair society prostitution shouldn't exist. In a perfect society people would only have sex with someone they love and refrain from having sex if the only other option would be abusing somone.

That’s not really true. A lot of sexworkers are indeed forced into the job and/or have little other choice. However, there are plenty of sexworkers who choose that as their line of work because they enjoy it. There are plenty of people seeing sexworkers that are looking for intimacy or practice or specific fetish play that they can’t get elsewhere. Some people who pay for sex are disabled and struggling to find love or they’re trying to figure out what works for them and get some experience before they enter a relationship. Some people pay sexworkers for things that aren’t intercourse related and they may even be in a relationship where they’ve agreed a professional is the best option for them. There’s lots of reasons (good and bad) there always has been and always will be prostitution.

[Guest]

Protective custody where? Jails have corona here. Hospitals have corona. There is nowhere safe outside of your own home. 

 

And in the U.S at least, they need the money probably. No free food, no free health care and most likely many have kids to feed and care for. They dont get the luxury of working from home remotely with their line of work. And, their job by default is risky health wise because any of those Johns could beat, rape, murder or infect them with any number of diseases any day, not just now. 

 

Our system doesnt allow people to be safe. My mom is making a will because she works retail and managers at her stores are getting the virus from customers , but they are deemed essential so she doesnt get the option of staying home if she wants to pay her bills and eat. She cant get fired to try to protect her health. So, shes expecting to die, just to try to not be starving and homeless. 

[Nick2]

Well, they will be getting their $1200 dollars soon...right?

[uhtred]

On 3/28/2020 at 2:16 AM, Nowhere Girl said:

In a fair society prostitution shouldn't exist. In a perfect society people would only have sex with someone they love and refrain from having sex if the only other option would be abusing somone.

Not sure I agree.  I think in a fair society, the only people who engaged in prostitution would be those who where happy with the trade of money for sex - if such people exist. I see prostitution as a problem when people are in positions where they fell that they have no alternative.

 

If the argument is that no one is happy trading sex for money, I don't disagree, since I don't know.  I just want it never to be in any way coerced.

[Lonemathsytoothbrushthief]

On 3/28/2020 at 9:16 AM, Nowhere Girl said:

In a fair society prostitution shouldn't exist. In a perfect society people would only have sex with someone they love and refrain from having sex if the only other option would be abusing somone.

Sex work is a type of work which many do without being explicitly forced into and is no less dehumanising than many other forms of capitalist work. It often exists in one form or another and is not created by systems of power so much as just a type of work which people have often done when other types of work were less accessible to them, whether that's because of transmisogyny, racism through the immigration system or just the fact it includes types of work which disabled people can sometimes find easier. Sex workers also experience a huge amount of abuse, criminalisation, pushing out of advocacy for their own rights as workers etc by the sorts of people who see their work as inherently abusive so that's really a bit hypocritical to concern troll about their wellbeing. The very reason they are vulnerable to many bigots and abusers is because anti sex work laws drive them off of online platforms, away from each other and their clients into anonymity which all make it harder for them to have the same rights and protections as other workers(and because consent is a thing, paying a sex worker doesn't equal having permission to abuse them, because ya know it's consensual).

 

Also you do know that allosexual aromantic people exist right? People have sex with each other without loving each other all the time without it being abusive. And many forms of sex work aren't even about that, though many I would assume are. I have no experience with sex work I've just watched videos and read things from those who do and your point of view is clearly wrong based on that.

[SithLord]

On 3/28/2020 at 6:16 PM, Nowhere Girl said:

In a fair society prostitution shouldn't exist. In a perfect society people would only have sex with someone they love and refrain from having sex if the only other option would be abusing somone.

Disagree. FORCED prostitution shouldn't exist. If someone wants to sell sex to others, and people want to buy it, that's their decision. But no one should be forced into that situation if it was not something they chose to do. 

[Ashmedai]

While brothels have been made to shut by the government, due to it requiring such close contact and all the rest, I'm not sure whether or not any of those are affected that have an ad in the escorts section in local newspapers.

[Guest]

On 3/28/2020 at 4:27 AM, Howard said:

Should they be taken into protective custody until things blow over?

That's just not realistic.

 

It would be like trying to protect a city's homeless population or drug addicts. I mean, there are just not enough resources available to do so, and many shelters are already overwhelmed, even more due to the rash of people losing their jobs.

 

Many who work in homeless shelters, already know that once covid-19 makes its waves inside, it will spread like wildfire. To add to the issue, would be the fact that there is very little one can do to stop it.

 

Sex workers, are also part of a highly vulnerable demographic in a city. Depending on the society, they may even have very little recourse to get help or resources.

 

I was recently in Hong Kong, and you'd see some sex workers advertising huge discounts on their services, showcasing a high level of desperation. Many in such settings, pay their rent via the amount of money that they make. Its a vicious cycle, so one will not have the time to feel sorry for their safety.

 

Sad part, is I highly doubt that their livelihood is covered under any of the governments grants offered (someone correct me if wrong).

 

I'd like to assume, the same could be said, for someone like a stripper, who is also at high risk. Mind you, many tourists would instinctively avoid strip clubs, or outright all of them would be shut down anyways (due to the high demand, meaning you'd be dealing with crowds and people obviously getting well within the 6' distance).

[Guest]

I don't think there is a solution. Many of these workers, will be hung out to dry in such settings. In countries where sex tourism is rampant, you're dealing with mass shut downs, forcing some into desperate situations. Lasting too long, you'd also be dealing with suicides, as some of these sex workers support large families.

[Howard]

17 hours ago, Perspektiv said:

Sex workers, are also part of a highly vulnerable demographic in a city. Depending on the society, they may even have very little recourse to get help or resources.

Fun Canadian Fact : If prostitutes declare their income and pay their taxes, they would qualify for the federal emergency fund amongst other things. I doubt many of them do though, preferring to have the money instead of gov't benefits.

[Chloe88]

On 3/28/2020 at 8:27 AM, Howard said:

Should they be taken into protective custody until things blow over? Should there be a sensibilisation campaign geared towards them and their clients so they stay home? Maybe a mix of both? Do you have a better solution? Do you even see it as a problem?

 

I think it's a complex and messy one.

Some are forced into it by pimps (or "boyfriends") some do it for poverty and some do it as a career. Some do it short term, others long term. I do think that more people will think of sex work due poverty and loss of income. 

 

More so than prostitution, infection can be spread by those who are into casual sex (not prostitutes) who have sex with many people over a short time. I think there will be a spike in causal sex by the normal population after the lockdown ends,

 

Back on track.  Prostitutes who are forced into it, where it is possible should be helped. Those in poverty should be helped if at all possible. But that's easier said than done.

Maybe other forms of sex take over, like watching from a distance or may be some form of "body condom" suit is developed (like PPE) by Durex!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

4 hours ago, Howard said:

I doubt many of them do though, preferring to have the money instead of gov't benefits.

I honestly would be shocked at any claiming their annual revenues. 

 

There is just no benefit to claiming your taxes if you're good at saving money. 

[Zagadka]

Covid can't be communicated sexually, and you aren't supposed to be kissing on the lips. There should be no problem. Of course, life is harder for them either way, which is entirely unfortunate.

I'm fully for recognizing sex work legally, strippers, prostitution, and the rest. That includes healthcare, which only makes sense.

[Skycaptain]

@Chloe88

 

 

 

 

This what you're talking about? 

 

 

[Guest]

5 hours ago, Zagadka said:

and you aren't supposed to be kissing on the lips.

Talking from that distance without a mask on is taking unnecessary risks. Also some sex workers will kiss on the lips (usually high end escorts offering you a "girlfriend experience"). I had an uncle who was a pimp, so learned a lot more about prostitution than I would like.

[Chloe88]

@Skycaptain - ha ha exactly!

Looks like someone had thought ahead!