COVID-19 – Chile
On Sunday, March 22, the Chilean government decreed a curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., as a new measure to try to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country. Prior to this, supermarkets reduced their hours, shopping malls closed, and some of the wealthier municipalities…
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On Sunday, March 22, the Chilean government decreed a curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., a new measure to try to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country. Prior to this, supermarkets reduced their hours, shopping malls closed, and some of the wealthier districts of the capital, where the first cases were registered, were already under mandatory quarantine. As of May 9, there were 25,972 cases and 294 deaths.
Sex workers
Sex workers also face enormous health risks and economic hardships. As in other countries, the rapid spread of the virus is preventing them from working. Alejandra Soto, president of the Amanda Jofré Cerda Independent Union of Sex Workers, told Presentes that since last week, most transgender sex workers in Santiago have had to stop working as a preventative measure when the government declared a health emergency.
“The curfew directly affects us because we work at night and on the streets,” she said. Faced with this situation, they activated their support networks and requested assistance from some municipalities, city halls, and universities . “We are trying to obtain supplies and any kind of financial aid because we can’t work during this emergency, and since we live off our daily earnings, it will be very difficult for us to cover basic needs like paying the monthly rent or buying food.”
Alejandra indicated that they are working with the Ministry of Health to organize a flu vaccination drive for all union members. They are generally requesting support programs and socioeconomic assistance from the government to help them face the pandemic in dignified conditions.
Access to health
Health consultations for transgender people and hormone therapy for those receiving care in the public system are also at risk . Presentes received a complaint from a user of the transgender clinic at Sótero del Río Hospital, located in one of Santiago's most populous neighborhoods, warning of the suspension of services. A notice posted on a bulletin board in the so-called "Rainbow Office" reads: "Due to the current situation, services are suspended and appointments will be rescheduled."
Presentes contacted Cinthia Aránguiz, coordinator of the Gender Identity Program at this hospital, but received no response by the time of publication.
For Franco Fuica, head of legislation and public policy at Organizing Trans Diversities (OTD), the spread of COVID-19 could replicate this situation in other hospitals across the country. “They are already prioritizing clinical cases, as is to be expected. But this will affect trans people in terms of surgeries, hormone therapy, medical tests, and psychological care. We don't know exactly how this will play out, but we believe it will be suspended until further notice,” he told Presentes.
On Tuesday, the health minister announced a ban on all elective surgeries "that do not pose a risk" to patients' health, in both the public and private sectors.
People living with HIV
In Chile, there are approximately 71,000 people living with HIV, according to the latest report from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). This figure has increased by 82% since 2010, making Chile the country with the largest increase in new HIV infections in Latin America between 2010 and 2018.
Until yesterday, the supply of medication for this population group was proceeding normally, but organizations fear that complications will soon arise, at least in hospitals, because they are not providing treatment for several months . If the government yields to pressure and decides to decree a total quarantine, as other countries have already done, the situation could worsen, since there would be no possibility of accessing health centers unless the authorities have a plan in place for this eventuality.
The Ministry of Health's National HIV/AIDS and STI Program has not yet issued a statement. Meanwhile, the Chilean Nurses Association is sharing advice on its social media channels to help people living with HIV reduce their risk of contracting the novel coronavirus.
The Chilean Society of Infectious Diseases has prepared a guide with information and recommendations for the prevention of COVID-19 in people living with HIV.
And amid the crisis, the Lesbian Group Breaking the Silence also activated its channels to receive reports of cases affecting the LGBTI community.
Survey reveals increase in homo/transphobia
The rapid spread of Covid-19 and the measures implemented by the Chilean government in response to the pandemic are impacting sexual diversity in the country. This assertion comes from the Movement for Homosexual Integration and Liberation (Movilh), following the release of the results of the survey "LGBTI People Facing Coronavirus in Chile ," which revealed, among other things, that 38% of respondents are experiencing an increase in homophobia and transphobia in their homes or neighborhoods, while spending more time with their families or neighbors, complying with mandatory and preventative quarantines.
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