Kiss miss for sex workers

Absolutely no lip locks, compulsory masks and even abstinence, as mumbai and pune brothels cower under flu fear

Absolutely no lip locks, compulsory masks and even abstinence, as mumbai and pune brothels cower under flu fear

Julia Roberts played a warm-hearted prostitute in the popular '90s hit Pretty Woman, who never kissed her client, as it implied emotional involvement.

In Mumbai, sex workers stay away from a tongue tangle for a smarter reason fear of contracting the H1N1 virus.

Said Meher (name changed), a sex worker in Kamathipura, "I do not know much about the virus, except that I may get sick if I kiss my client on the mouth.
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So, I have been extremely careful about covering my face with my dupatta during sex, and of course, no kisses."

Sex workers we spoke to say they are almost as concerned about swine flu (they knew the name) as they are about AIDS.

"I never have sex without a condom, in fact most of us never indulge in unprotected sex.

We are trying to be as vigilant with this new illness, but not a single NGO has approached us with cautionary lessons," said Sabiha (name changed). "If we are provided with testing kits, we will feel safer," she added.
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5,000 say no

Meanwhile, in Pune, around 5,000 sex workers in Budhwar Peth have turned away customers who look unwell.
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Kiss me not: While some sex workers in Pune and Mumbai (above, image clicked on mobile phone) have been turning away customers, others make sure they use masks.

In fact, over the last three days, most of them have serviced customers on the pre-condition that they as well as the customer, wear protective masks. Consequently, there has been a fall in customers.

"We are afraid of getting the flu, customer doesn't matter as much. Most of us are the sole-earning members in the family and I for one, cannot risk having sex now and endangering my life," said a sex worker.

Another woman added, "I have not had sex with any customer over the last three days. Even if I know him, I don't want to take the risk."

Social organisations in Pune, primarily spreading awareness about AIDS and the dangers of unprotected sex, have been educating sex workers about swine flu.

Tejaswi Sevekari, director of Saheli HIV AIDS Karyakarta Sangha, said, "We have provided masks and have told them to avoid customers who have symptoms.

It's a positive sign that they are aware, but refusing customers won't be possible for very long."

Dr Laxmi Mali of Vanchit Vikar, another organisation looking after sex workers, said, "We have told them to wear masks and ensure their customers do so too, keep surfaces clean and ensure that customers do not have flu symptoms."