Bolivian sex workers bet on see-through raincoats to kill coronavirus contagion risk

Record ID: 1561970

  • Title: Bolivian sex workers bet on see-through raincoats to kill coronavirus contagion risk
  • Date: 13th July 2020
  • Summary: SEX WORKER POLE DANCING IN PROTECTIVE GEAR
  • Embargoed: 27th July 2020 18:47
  • Keywords: Bolivia La Paz brothel coronavirus dancing exotic infections pandemic pole prostitution protection sex workers
  • Location: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
  • City: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
  • Country: Bolivia
  • Reuters ID: LVA003CMN6DDZ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: EDITORS NOTE: CONTAINS PARTIAL NUDITY
    Bolivian sex workers in the capital La Paz are pressing to be allowed to resume their activities with equipment to protect against the spread of the novel coronavirus including see-through Macintoshes.
    The thigh-skimming "biosecurity suits" feature among a number of recommendations in a 30-page security manual drawn up by the Organization of Night Workers of Bolivia (OTN).
    The group is pushing for restrictions on the sector to be lifted during the day at least, even if a strict nighttime quarantine still impedes their more habitual evening work.
    Lily Cortes, a representative of Bolivia's sex workers union, told Reuters in March that the women had no option but not to work, but were forced onto the streets if they could not work in cooperative-run brothels. Prostitution is legal in Bolivia, but procuring is not.
    Antonieta showed Reuters late last week how in addition to donning a thong, a sequined eye-mask and sheer, crotch-height dress for work, she could layer on top a paper face mask, plastic visor, gloves and Macintosh.
    She also demonstrated how she would be spraying down with bleach solution the pole dancing pole between clients at the brothel where she operates with several other women.
    "The biosecurity suit will allow us to work and protect ourselves," she said.
    Perched on a heart-shaped leather bed in a nearby room another woman, Vanesa, explained she was a single mother to two children and had to work to be able to fund their studies.
    She said she felt confident the proposed changes would keep everyone happy. "Our clients respect the issue of safety, that we are taking these measures for our security but also for theirs," she said.
    Bolivia has 48,187 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 1,807 deaths, but as one of the countries where the fewest number of tests are being carried out, medical experts say the real numbers of those infected could be many times higher.
    The World Health Organisation has said that, based on the current evidence, the coronavirus cannot be sexually transmitted.
    (Production: Santiago Limachi, Monica Machicao, Patrick Alwine)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Audio restrictions: This clip's Audio includes copyrighted material. User is responsible for obtaining additional clearances before publishing the audio contained in this clip.
Register