Of all the things being affected by the coronavirus, our love lives are facing some of the biggest changes. Obviously there are more pressing yet, the thought of how this pandemic will change the state of human interaction, during and post-crisis, is concerning. It’s a natural human response to seek physical affection and emotional support in times of crisis, so the fact that we are so restricted in our social interaction these days presents a bit of a challenge. In no way does this mean I am advocating for going against your state or country’s rules for quarantine.
In the wake of the coronavirus, a few interesting things have been happening in world of love, sex, and dating; such as:
- Health administrations across the United States are advocating for “solo” pleasure and advising people against hooking up with new people during this time period. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene tweeted, “Kissing can spread COVID-19 and rimming might spread it… You are your safest sex partner. Masturbation will not spread COVID-19, especially if you wash your hands (and any sex toys) with soap and water.”
- Divorce rates are expected to rise during the course of this pandemic and for a while after. For two reasons: 1. Quarantine, as you can imagine, is testing the emotional limits of the best of couples and is bringing out new, perhaps insurmountable challenges for couples isolating together.
In an article posted by PageSix, divorce attorney Willain D. Zabel pointed out that while businesses are struggling, some people might view this time as an opportunity to divorce their partners while their networth is lower, then be single once their cash flow begins to rise again.
“If wealthy people are looking for a rationale for divorce, an economic downturn is often a motivation – the net worth of the moneyed spouse is lower, and therefore a settlement could be lower. I anticipate there will be a number of high-profile divorce cases in the coming months.”
While there is a fair amount of negativity surrounding the world of love in the time of the coronavirus, where there is a will there is a way. Even though self-isolation stinks in many ways, there is a weird upside when it comes to dating. When you no longer have the simplicity of going over to a person’s house for a random bootycall, dating is viewed in a different light. The process of courtship is making a comeback in 2020/2021. There is the opportunity to get to know someone, without the pressures of hooking up or meeting someone at a random spot, over a period of time and enjoy the process. At the very least, you can avoid a few “f-ck-boys” who are only looking to come over to your place or his.
Many people are also spending more time on dating apps and websites. Browsing through profiles on tinder, I’ve even seen lines such as “Stay at home if you’re sick, come over if you’re thicc” or “Quarantine and chill?”. Many people are using programs like Zoom to have “virtual” dates, such as a living room picnic in each person’s own home and so on. There is even a dating service called “Ok Zoomer” targeted specifically for college students to date or make new friends while being on leave from their schools.
Only time will tell how the state of dating and love will be ultimately affected by this pandemic. Take the time to enjoy being with your partner or enjoy the simple pleasures that come along with being single, such as privacy and not having to share your stash of snacks.
Written by: Nicole Kirichanskaya
