We've heard a lot of "don't do this" and "don't do that" when it comes to the corona virus. The latest don't? Kissing and intimacy.

But as an in-person sex worker, this is a threat to my business.

I became an independent escort in October 2019, making roughly $2,580 a month. Then in January I started working more flexibly for my day job and made just under $6,500; in February, I made $8,592.

Then the coronavirus started closing in.

I was on track to make the same this month until I had my first cancellation, which wiped out a good chunk of my income (10% to be exact).

I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but let me break it down for you.

The expenses of my job add up quick: lingerie, lube, condoms, toys, hotels, travel costs, nails, laser hair removal.

Every booking I lose makes me panic that little bit more.

My clients travel often, which means there is a risk of them getting coronavirus while traveling and passing it to me. There is also the risk of him having less income due to the unstable economy.

Ordinarily, it wouldn’t be as nerve-wracking, but...

last month I had the most cancellations I have ever had. I don't know if they're scared of getting the virus from me or vice versa, but I believe a lot of these cancellations are down to people being advised to avoid touching others.

If we can’t go to work, then we don’t get paid. If we contract the virus, we will be unable to work for weeks — with no sick pay. And even if we don’t get sick, it's still looking like a rough few months that may leave us without any income whatsoever.

There is an obvious slowdown of jobs due to the cancellation of conferences and meetings. Less movement overall, Which means less prospective clients coming to London for business. So I have to rely on my regular clients.

But even then, I have to find more income...

Camming and phone chat are possible streams of income instead of in-person sex work. Others might look into brothels, but unlike independent sex work, those opportunities present a whole new layer of risks.

Coronavirus is making many people fearful but for sex workers, the lack of security it creates is leaving us extra vulnerable.

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