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Most vulnerable still exposed to virus on Istanbul's deserted streets

Some of Istanbul's most vulnerable people, including Syrian child refugees, are still out on the streets day and night, braving the pandemic to earn a living.
A member of the Fatih Municipality disinfects the Sultanahmet square in Istanbul to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 21, 2020. - The religious affairs authority, Diyanet, ordered the closure of around 90,000 mosques in Turkey on March 20, the day of particularly important prayers in the Muslim faith. (Photo by BULENT KILIC / AFP) (Photo by BULENT KILIC/AFP via Getty Images)

Though Istanbul's busiest districts have emptied amid the accelerating number of coronavirus cases and bars, nightclubs, shops and cafes across the country have been shut down by the government, some of the most vulnerable people in the city are still on the streets struggling to earn a living. 

Istanbul's street children are still out day and night selling packets of tissues or playing music on the street and on public transportation vehicles for tips. They do not have the luxury of social distancing, as their families depend on them to earn money to survive.

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