From the beginning of the epidemic, it was clear that the first who came across it were doctors, infectious disease doctors. Those doctors who have always been our friends and our colleagues. These were the doctors, who treated our HIV-positive people. And it became clear that the country is not ready for an epidemic. Then at the end of March, most did not understand the scale of the disaster.

The most important problems faced by people living with HIV, especially those who decided to make money in the regime of so-called ‘days off’ in Russia, were the threat of medication interruptions and lack of means of existence.

The introduction of restrictive measures, reducing the flow of clients, closing jobs, lack of work – all of this has greatly affected the lives of sex workers.

The main task for our foundation has always been and will be protecting society from the spread of HIV and its consequences, helping to maintain health on the basis of respect for every human life. Within the emergency caused by the coronavirus pandemic, it was crucial for us to maintain the sustainability of the vital support services for our clients.