Ramaswami: At Theni in southern Tamil Nadu, Leela’s* schedule has been thrown into disarray after the announcement of the 21-day lockdown. “Not that I had a proper schedule before, but I was working and making money. This lockdown has made a mess of our lives,” says the 31-year-old sex worker. Yet, Leela has not allowed the lockdown to defeat her. Every day for the past fortnight, she has been calling people in her own community, people who visit her and everyone on her contacts list to tell them about the coronavirus. “Every day, I make about eight-nine calls, mostly to other workers. I tell them about how to wash their hands properly and about social distancing.” Sometimes, Leela goes to the shops close by and tells customers waiting to buy things to ‘maintain a good distance.’ “I also tell the shopkeepers to not encourage crowds, lest it would turn fatal to him,” she says.