Image credit: Bruno/Germany from Pixabay
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic is leaving collateral damage in its wake, as health care providers in Canada warn that the pandemic will exacerbate the spread of sexually-transmitted infections (STI) once restrictions are eased.
As reported by Politico, lockdown orders put in place by the government to stem the spread of the coronavirus has resulted in people losing access to clinics and prevention, testing, and treatment options. Clinics themselves have either had to cut down on services or have their labs be overwhelmed by COVID-19 tests instead.
Saskatoon Sexual Health executive director, Heather Hale, says that the restrictions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic have ended up amplifying other problems that they were already experiencing beforehand, such as abortion access and access to condoms.
As Canada prepares to ease restrictions, Hale worries that people who have been isolating might seek out even more sexual encounters with different partners, increasing STI risk at a time when healthcare providers are already swamped by the concerns brought about by the global coronavirus pandemic. The fact that nine out of 10 provinces in Canada were already experiencing an STI outbreak even before the coronavirus pandemic does not help out as well.
Further complicating the situation is the fact that Canada and other countries in the world may experience a shortage of condoms. This is because the factory and manufacturing closures brought about by the global coronavirus pandemic in other countries may result in a slowdown in condom production.
While Canada does not have a condom shortage just yet, the same cannot be said in the upcoming months. In fact, news of a possible shortage pushed Canadians to stock up on condoms during the second and third week of March, before the nationwide lockdown was announced.
Oxfam Canada’s policy lead on sexual and reproductive rights, Dana Stefov, says a condom shortage is definitely something that officials should look at and plan for.
“There is a real risk and threat that some of the supply chains are going to be broken and that there might be more stockouts and shortages in the months ahead,” she said.
So people aren’t just watching porn and masturbating? Wow, thought the media had us conditioned to jack our cares away? Maybe desperate times make for desperate encounters. Or more like the same folk that embrace Truvada, ignore condoms, enjoy drugs and end up with STDs. Sure is good to know that my tax dollars support public health programs that allow sex junkies to play tag with diseases and encourage antibiotic resistant microbes. Be cheaper to have FEMA camps with free drugs and viagra. Just as long as the residents don’t check out, they can be in perpetual f**k frenzy and… Read more »
Tyrell:
You do realize that you are asking “Gay Males” to be socially and sexually responsible? Is that tantamount to ask “Gay Males” to be monogamous?
Such ideals as you have espoused only fall on blind eyes and deaf ears as the perception of “Individual” rights supersede the rights of “The Common Good.”
It is deplorable that you, as a Gay Male, are forced to espouse common sense, education, morality and social responsibility to those of us who have, already, been exposed to such inequalities and injustices.
You are a wise man and should be acknowledged as such.
There is plenty of safe satisfying sex to be had that does not require a condom. Now would be a smart time to find smarter partners.
If it isn’t one affliction, it’s another affliction!
Afflictions seem to be rather fond of us Gay Boys? No sooner to be rid of Corona…than, to be afflicted with the customary “STD s.”
Is there ever any peace?
Of course…when the final and ultimate affliction…afflicts… death!
And, then, no more afflictions!
This is why, it states in my profile, if you can’t be down with types of masturbation/frottage, initially, it’s not going to happen, period… point being, if you did not use precaution/care for your own well being, why would you care for my well being. I think you gotta learn new tricks.
CHLAMYDIA AND SYPHILIS LIKELY TO RISE BECAUSE MEN DON’T USE CONDOMS. THE PROMOTION OF PREP IS A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. PORN INDUSTRY PROMOTING BAREBACK SEX SCENES. DON’T BELAME A PANDEMIC!!!!!!!