Asking providers about vaccinations and STDs

[samsmithson1972]

Forgive me if there is another thread on this. Is it bad form for me to ask a provider if they have been vaccinated against COVID-19? On a related note, is it rude to ask their HIV and other STD status? Thanks.

[Jamie21]

Definitely ok to ask. Important that you do ask especially about HIV and STD’s. No one should be working if they’re not regularly tested. I’m totally fine if clients ask me about my status. If a provider takes offence at such a request then you’ve got your answer about whether or not they’re any good haven’t you?

[samsmithson1972]

Definitely ok to ask. Important that you do ask especially about HIV and STD’s. No one should be working if they’re not regularly tested. I’m totally fine if clients ask me about my status. If a provider takes offence at such a request then you’ve got your answer about whether or not they’re any good haven’t you?

Thank you!

[MscleLovr]

Good response from @Jamie21. I feel it’s OK to ask, but @samsmithson1972 how can you rely on the answers?

 

You have to protect your own health. If you’re planning to hire at this time, it may be better to simply ask what precautions the guy is taking to protect his health and yours.

[samsmithson1972]

Good response from @Jamie21. I feel it’s OK to ask, but @samsmithson1972 how can you rely on the answers?

 

You have to protect your own health. If you’re planning to hire at this time, it may be better to simply ask what precautions the guy is taking to protect his health and yours.

That’s a fair point. I think that I will ask both.

[Jamie21]

You could also ask to see the results of their most recent test...but there’s always an element of risk because the test might be a few weeks old and infection could have occurred since the test. The window period for some STD’s is a couple of weeks. If you’re definitely concerned about 100% health protection the safest thing is don’t go out! That’s not realistic so just take sensible precautions, safe sex, ask the questions, some providers do a temp check before you enter.

[samsmithson1972]

I’m not going out or seeing anyone until two weeks after my second vaccine, and will continue to take precautions.

[+ Pensant]

I’m not going out or seeing anyone until two weeks after my second vaccine, and will continue to take precautions.

You’re more disciplined than I am!

[samsmithson1972]

You’re more disciplined than I am!

Except for my first vaccination shot, I have not been within 30 feet of another human being, even wearing a mask, in over a year.

[+ Pensant]

Except for my first vaccination shot, I have not been within 30 feet of another human being, even wearing a mask, in over a year.

OMG! You’re the most cautious person I’ve encountered!

[italianboyph]

Forgive me if there is another thread on this. Is it bad form for me to ask a provider if they have been vaccinated against COVID-19? On a related note, is it rude to ask their HIV and other STD status? Thanks.

 

No not at all. I think it’s best for people to be honest with HIV and Stds even with as far as we’ve come with HIV/PreP. With HIV I do feel a lot of people still face the stigma even though, u = u. But again like I said I think it is always best to be honest with people you’re having sexual contact with. I get tested every 3 months because of PreP. As far as Covid vaccine, I think not everyone right now is able to get it just yet, a lot of the Scorts are younger guys and unless they work frontline, or have pre existing conditions most can’t get it. It’s good to ask to just to be sure for you.

[samsmithson1972]

OMG! You’re the most cautious person I’ve encountered!

I have been in a monastery for a year!

[Shawn Monroe]

As others have said asking HIV status is fine but it’s ultimately up to you - not a provider, or anyone else - to protect your health.

 

Now on the topic of vaccines which no one has touched on. It’s fine to ask, but if you’re basing a decision to hire on whether a provider has been vaccinated then you may be hiring prematurely. Most states are still prioritizing essential workers, first responders and medically fragile over the general population - and we won’t be prioritized until much later.

 

Even though I know you said you don’t plan to hire until after you’ve had your second vaccine.

[samsmithson1972]

As others have said asking HIV status is fine but it’s ultimately up to you - not a provider, or anyone else - to protect your health.

 

Now on the topic of vaccines which no one has touched on. It’s fine to ask, but if you’re basing a decision to hire on whether a provider has been vaccinated then you may be hiring prematurely. Most states are still prioritizing essential workers, first responders and medically fragile over the general population - and we won’t be prioritized until much later.

 

Even though I know you said you don’t plan to hire until after you’ve had your second vaccine.

Thanks, that’s a good point too. I’m in DC and a fair number of providers have indicated that they either have been vaccinated or have scheduled it.

I have a year’s worth of savings to indulge myself for the next several months, so I can work my way though the backlog!

[+ FrankR]

I have a year’s worth of savings to indulge myself for the next several months, so I can work my way though the backlog!

Pace yourself - take small sips!

[italianboyph]

I’m not going out or seeing anyone until two weeks after my second vaccine, and will continue to take precautions.

 

do what makes you feel safe. I get vaccinated today... it’s a big sigh of relief, and a huge weight off my shoulders.

[samsmithson1972]

Pace yourself - take small sips!

?? good advice! (I don’t drink alcohol, although it’s often 4:20 at my house).

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Any concern you have, always ask. Be direct.

 

If an escort seems offended that you asked, move on. That's a bad sign.

[CuriousByNature]

do what makes you feel safe. I get vaccinated today... it’s a big sigh of relief, and a huge weight off my shoulders.

That's awesome

[Bucky]

Ummmm, I kinda disagree. Unless you absolutely always unequivocally trust their answers (and haven't we been taught time and again to NOT), there's little value to these questions.

[marylander1940]

Forgive me if there is another thread on this. Is it bad form for me to ask a provider if they have been vaccinated against COVID-19? On a related note, is it rude to ask their HIV and other STD status? Thanks.

 

 

Ummmm, I kinda disagree. Unless you absolutely always unequivocally trust their answers (and haven't we been taught time and again to NOT), there's little value to these questions.

 

 

 

 

I know an escort who gets tested for Covid-19 every week and sends a screenshot of the result to the clients he had the last 2 weeks.

 

 

 

He'll also test his STD/PrEP exams if asked.

[+ Topseed]

Go ahead and ask if it comforts you.

 

Are you expecting truthful answers?

[samsmithson1972]

Go ahead and ask if it comforts you.

 

Are you expecting truthful answers?

I have a fairly good bullshit detector.

[Guest]

On HIV and STIs: I'll happily provide info on my status, frequency of testing, safer sex and other health-related practices, if asked. Frequency of testing and safer sex practices are probably the most useful questions there, in my opinion. More often, the question I get is simply "are you negative and STI-free?", which feels more than anything like a shibboleth, because:

 

a) anyone with a positive STI result is going to get treated, and if they're the kind of person who would keep working before finishing treatment, they're probably not going to answer the question honestly anyway;

 

b) anyone who isn't getting tested won't know their status and will likely say they're negative based on lack of symptoms; and

 

c) if bareback is a service you're looking for, you want to be protecting yourself with PREP anyway rather than taking an escort's word for it

 

...so what information does that question really get you?

 

Whereas on the other hand knowing how often an escort gets tested, and what safer sex practices they use, lets you build a picture of the risk factor between tests. I think this is especially important when you consider that chlamydia and gonorrhea are most often transmitted asymptomatically. Of course there is still no guarantee of their telling the complete truth, and every booking is made to some degree on a basis of trust. As @Shawn Monroe said, your health is ultimately your responsibility when hiring, as ours is when escorting.

 

On covid vaccination: if you're in an area where sex workers are being prioritized for vaccination, and thus could possibly get it before many of their clients, this might be relevant. Probably in these situations escorts will advertise the fact that they're vaccinated. I would think that in most places, clients who are of an age or health status that makes the possibility of an escort exposing them to covid a major concern would be getting vaccinated before said escort anyway.

[Becket]

It's a new ball game and we all better get use to things like "Vaccine passports" to board planes, questions about our status, getting dirty looks if you cough or sniffle. COVID ain't going away. I imagine before too long we'll be getting regular shots like flu shots and the like. And all those that know such things say that we WILL have other pandemic situations in the near future. At least that's what THIS Queen's crystal ball says.