For many in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, the fear of Ebola has become the beginning of wisdom. Even when it involves matters related to séx and intimacy.
On a dark Wednesday night, the busy Allen Avenue, in the heart of Ikeja, the state capital, provided a glimpse of how much the fear of Ebola Virus has impacted on séx life in the part of the city that usually never sleeps.
Usually, it is a common sight to find skimpily dressed ladies of different shapes and sizes soliciting customers at night. However, in the wee hours of that night, at one of the famous spots for such activities, only a few men were seen hovering under the cover of darkness to satisfy their séxual urges. This was despite the impressive number of commercial séx workers at the junction.
“I drove past this spot with some friends around 11pm and three hours later, I still met the same women waiting for customers at the same spot.”
Said a middle-aged man who didn’t give his name. He said the moment the séx workers saw their vehicle stop; they rushed onto them.
“Suddenly, they struggled among themselves to be the first to reach us when we stopped the car. It was clear the ladies were desperate to make money that night,” he said, but declined to comment if he took any home.
A commercial séx worker in the vicinity, who simply gave her name as Linda, said patronage has reduced since the outbreak of Ebola.
She said, “People are afraid to patronise séx workers nowadays because of this Ebola thing. There was one incident that happened a few days ago when a man came to patronise one of us. He started touching the woman but she snubbed him, saying that she didn’t want to be caressed with his hands. When he said they should have séx, she said she preferred to do it fully dressed up and if he must use a condom.
“It is possible to have séx and not sweat. Also, the cold weather is good for séx at this moment. So, I usually tell my friends that during this period of Ebola outbreak, they should ensure they always use condom for protection and avoid the man’s sweat from touching them. Also, they should not do it in the dark, but put on the light so that they can see if the man is sweating or not.”
Linda further said she advises her friends to ensure that a ceiling or standing fan is switched on during séx and the man should also avoid going ‘extra rounds’ because the exertion would make them sweat. “Though I think there needs to be more awareness and sensitisation on this issue,” she added.
For businessman, Mr. Godfrey Okosun, avoiding séx this period is advisable because of reasons of infidelity.
“One may be faithful to his or her partner, but the partner may not be faithful. In that case, one may be at risk of not knowing the escapades of the other partner. So, I would advise people to avoid séx all together. And it’s the same rule that I apply to my séx life during this period,” he told Punch.
A civil servant, Ms. Gloria Akpandu, said it depends on the individual to decide whether to have séx or not.
“I don’t know much about the Ebola symptoms, but from what I have heard so far about avoiding body contacts such as handshakes, kissing and hugging, I have not had any intimate relationship with my boyfriend since Ebola found its way into Nigeria. Although I still think it depends on the couples in question,” she said.
