Sex worker Moira Mona creates videos in her studio near Amsterdam
Amsterdam:
Dutch sex workers welcomed their clients on Wednesday as the Netherlands eased measures against coronaviruses, but were advised to avoid heavy breathing and kissing to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID- 19.
Erotic dancers and prostitutes lost their main source of income for three and a half months and generally did not have access to state support during the foreclosure.
They were surprised when the government moved the reopening date from September 1 to July 1.
The “Red Light” district of Amsterdam, where thousands of tourists usually flock to the canals to see sex shows, erotic gift shops and prostitutes, has been deserted.
Red Light United, which represents window prostitutes in Amsterdam, had campaigned to get back to work as soon as possible, noting that some sex workers still had to pay rent on their premises and that the foreclosure forced them to work illegally, exposing them to greater risks.
“I’m really looking forward to going back to work,” said Moira Mona, a 29-year-old sex worker who will perform at an S&M club this week. “The extra income will be welcome, so in that sense, I hope for a busy day … even if I don’t expect it to be as busy as before the corona crisis.”
Sex workers already adhere to strict health safety regulations in the Netherlands, but the industry has compiled a list of recommendations, including what sexual positions to avoid.
Even with new guidelines, sex workers will be more exposed to the dangers of CODVID-19 than other professions, said Debbie Mensink, public health counselor in Amsterdam.
“There is an increased risk. Sex workers already have an increased health risk because of their job … because people are so close to each other.”
Mona, however, said she was not worried and that she would take precautions.
She added a few new items to her collection of latex outfits, stilettos and tassel whips to adhere to the protocol: a leather face cover with metal studs, black gloves and surgical masks.
“I don’t get unemployment benefits if I get sick, so if someone shows up and starts coughing or sneezing in my hallway, I’ll say” Can you come back another time? “Because if I am sick for a week, it means a week without income.”
Mona made income during the lockdown by doing webcam shows, but said that if the government-imposed measures had been in place for much longer, she would have spent all of her savings.
With the number of new COVID-19 infections and deaths falling rapidly in recent weeks, the Netherlands has lifted most of the lock-in measures. The country has registered more than 50,000 infections and more than 6,000 deaths since mid-March.
Despite the improvement in COVID-19 statistics, people are advised to stay within 1.5 meters (nearly 5 feet) of each other and to wear face masks when traveling by public transport.
These rules will not apply to sex workers and health authorities recommend avoiding face-to-face meetings.
“We do not recommend that you literally put yourself in each other’s face, where you can breathe each other’s warm breath,” said Mensink, the health worker. “We also do not recommend kissing because saliva carries the virus and you can transfer it this way.”
(With the exception of the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
