Strip clubs in the US have re-opened post the pandemic, but things are no longer the same for the young ladies working there.
They have to wear masks as they perform and social distancing is the norm.
These venues are frequented by just a handful of patrons and one ends up earning just a third of what they would have made pre-pandemic.
A glimpse of strippers's lives in Covid times:
IMAGE: San Jose-based stripper April Haze, who teaches students pole-dancing, prepares for her class.
All Photographs: Brittany Hosea-Small/Reuters
All Photographs: Brittany Hosea-Small/Reuters
IMAGE: Masks and social distancing are the norm.
IMAGE: April does warm ups and dance routines with her mask on.
IMAGE: Remembering the good ol' days! Brittney, a Sacramento-based stripper, looks over the dance clothes and lingerie she use to wear for work before the pandemic.
IMAGE: Savannah Rain, an Oakland-based stripper, puts on make up at home before heading out to work.
IMAGE: Spending more time indoors means more bonding with one's pets.
Savannah with her pet rat Thumper at home.
Savannah with her pet rat Thumper at home.
IMAGE: Brittney spends time with Blue.
IMAGE: Savannah ended up draining most of her savings in the past year.
She feels the clubs were a safe space to express her femininity and she needs to wait for things to get back to normal.
She feels the clubs were a safe space to express her femininity and she needs to wait for things to get back to normal.
IMAGE: A drawing that perfectly sums up the present situation for strippers sits amongst April's make up at her home in San Jose.
