COVID-19 and Safer Sex: Tips for Industry Escorts and Sex Workers

Economies worldwide have been altered, if not completely destroyed by the novel coronavirus, and the sex-work industry is no exception.

Agree or disagree, sex-work is a thriving profession that has long endured the ages. From plagues, to droughts, to prohibition and economic collapse, industry sex-workers have endured. In many places, sex-work and escorting have become legally recognized, legislated, and protected occupations- in order to keep the world’s oldest profession alive and well, in a manner of speaking. However, covid-19 and its accompanying shutdowns have taken a toll on escorts in many more ways than one.

With mandatory social distancing rules, sex-workers and escorts had been asked to get creative. Hoping to move their business online until the worst of the transmissibility waves have ended. As lockdown measures ease and business begins to reopen, the world starts to look at novel ways to return to a not so normal way of life. Secret Desire, a worldwide escort directory shows just how prevalent the profession is- which has left many regulatory health agencies offering sex-workers and escorts industry specific advice on how best to open back up their respective practices safely.

Safety Tips for Escorts, Sex-workers, and Erotic Massage Specialists

COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-COV-2, is believed to be transmitted through close human contact and respiratory droplets. Which is a new form of disease transmission for many escorts and sex-workers. As traditional barriers such as condoms, dental dams, and the like do little to help protect these workers. Specifically if these workers see more than just a single client within a two week span. In absence of being able to put your erotic massage, or escort business on hold, there are a few measures that can be taken to help improve your personal safety:

● Wear a mask and avoid kissing.
● Mouth to genitals or anus puts workers at an increased risk of infection via fecal-oral routes.
● Washing before and after sex is an essential part of practice, but may be more important now then ever.
● Consider becoming inventive with barriers. Such as mutual masturbation sessions, use of distance controlled sex toys, or even physical barriers such as “glory holes” or face-away positions.
● Erotic massage can be an excellent alternative to face-to-face sexual relations. Erotic body rubs can serve to keep key distance between workers and clients. Especially if both are wearing masks.
● Reports from Houston: Body rubs may become an essential part of sex-work for the time being.

Remembering that COVID-19 isn’t necessarily transmitted through penetrative sex is paramount for many escorts, erotic massage specialists, and sex-workers. While many of these professionals regularly undergo testing for STDs/STIs, it’s a novel practice to consider regular testing for respiratory diseases. Particularly COVID-19 or this year’s upcoming Flu. It’s now being suggested that sex-workers get their flu vaccine and consider visiting their clinic regularlay to be tested for COVID-19 infection.

This comes into focus after officials have found a possible link between asymptomatic (lacking of symptoms), or pre-symptomatic (Having no symptoms before the virus “sets in”) transmission. Which suggests that the virus could be easily spread without the original host being aware that they are even sick. They also suggest that sex-workers and escorts allow as much time as realistically possible between seeing different clients. Ensuring both the health and safety of escort and customer.

What Can an Escort Directory Do to Help?

It may be useful for escort directories, such as the before mentioned Secret Desire, to be able to establish reporting guidelines or resources for any escorts or sex-workers that they work with closely. Offering COVID-19 resources, or outbreak updates could also help mitigate risks to both clients and escorts. As an escort, sex-worker, or erotic massage specialist, it’s always important to be aware of how the novel coronavirus may be behaving within your immediate and serviced communities. Pay close attention to local guidelines and restrictions.

Wash your hands regularly, consider postponing oral services, and try to integrate mask wearing into your normal routines. These simple preventative measures may serve to keep you safe during this time, allowing you to continue to provide the best services for your customers later. Safety is always priority one, and COVID-19 doesn’t change that.

July 30th, 2020
Posted in Articles