Sex in the time of COVID-19: Taguig City gives pills, condoms to residents

Taguig health workers give pills and condoms to households during the enhanced community quarantine. PHOTO FROM TAGUIG PIO

MANILA, Philippines — In Taguig City, condoms and birth control pills were being distributed to communities to ensure that family planning continues amid the Luzon-wide lockdown that forced people to remain indoors as malls and other establishments for entertainment purposes have been closed down.

In a text message to INQUIRER.net on Thursday, Taguig City Public Information Officer Maricar Brizuela said the city health office is giving out pills that are good for three months, injectable pregnancy control good for three months or 12 weeks, and condoms for each adult, sexually-active member of a family.

“We just want to continue our routine programs in spite of the enhanced community quarantine,” Brizuela said.

Brizuela further said health workers also deliver medicines and vitamins. She stressed their employees observe social distancing during the delivery.

Aside from this, the local government is likewise distributing medicines for tuberculosis and HIV, vitamins for pregnant women at health centers, as well as maintenance medicines for hypertension, diabetes, and asthma for those who need it at home.

The local government imposed a lockdown since March 17, which means entry and exit in Taguig City are regulated as it only allows the movement of basic goods and supplies.

As of March 26, COVID-19 has infected 26 Taguig residents, of which two people have already died. The Taguig City government is also monitoring 127 persons under investigation and 62 persons under monitoring.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, which outbreak started in China’s Wuhan City in Hubei province in late 2019.

People who have COVID-19 could recover since for most people, its symptoms were mild like fever and cough. But the illness could also be worse or serious for others and possibly lead to pneumonia, especially for older adults and those with existing health problems.

The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

KGA