When the world went into quarantine, people suddenly found themselves home alone with nothing – and no one – to do. It’s a far cry from the hot hookups and lust-fueled sex parties everyone is used to, and while some have turned to virtual sex, many still crave skin-on-skin contact.
Most states have lifted stay-at-home orders for the time being, but the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. With some states contemplating secondary shutdowns and hospitalization rates on the rise, most experts say it’s best to avoid sexual contact with people outside of your immediate household. Abstinence is undoubtedly an effective way to prevent Coronavirus’s spread, but it may not be realistic for everyone, especially if this pandemic continues into the coming months and even years.
So, the real question is, how can you be sexually active while still taking measures to protect yourself? No method is 100% safe, but that doesn’t mean you should throw caution to the wind. Here are some tips to help you stay safe based on the recommendations put forth by the New York City Health Department.
Hold your own.
If you don’t have a partner or don’t want to risk in-person contact, masturbation is the safest way to handle your sexual needs. Just be sure to wash your hands before and after, and don’t forget to keep your sex toys clean, dry, and properly stored at all times. If you’re not sure how to properly clean your pleasure devices, here is a quick run-down:
- The easiest way to wash your sex toys is with mild soap and warm water because it’s safe for all materials and doesn’t require a lot of time and effort. Just wash the toy, pat it dry with a clean towel, and store it safely.
- If you want to sterilize your toys, you can boil anything made of silicone, Pyrex, or stainless steel.
- You can run sturdier sex toys through the dishwasher on the top rack. Just be sure to avoid using dishwashing detergents, as the chemicals could be too harsh for anything that touches your genitals.
Sex within the same household is safer.
If you live with your partner or even a roommate with benefits, then you should be ok to have sex freely so long as neither of you is infected. Just be sure you are both taking the proper precautions any time you leave the house and avoid contact should one of you feel like you are getting sick.
Minimize your risk of transmission when having sex with a partner.
Discuss your Covid-19 status.
Just as you would want to know about a potential partner’s HIV status, you should also know about their COVID-19 status. Don’t be afraid to ask your partner if they have symptoms or came in contact with someone who may be infected. It may sound like a mood killer, but everyone will be better off if you get this out of the way before making it into the bedroom.
Ask potential partners if they are sleeping with other people.
You can significantly lower your risk of contracting or transmitting the virus by limiting your sexual partners. If one of you decides not to be exclusive for some reason, it is vital to have a conversation about that. If you’re ok taking the risk of sleeping with other people while you are sleeping with each other, that’s fine, but all parties should be empowered to make their own informed decision.
Know how Coronavirus spreads.
Doctors are still learning about how the virus is transmitted, but we know it spreads through saliva, mucus, and droplets we exhale when breathing. While it’s hard to control these things when you have intimate contact with someone, you can limit exposure by avoiding kissing or wearing a mask in more extreme cases. Experts have even suggested that people wear masks anytime they have sexual contact with someone outside their home. It may sound a little extreme, but if you are worried about contracting the virus, it can offer you an extra layer of protection.
Condoms and glory holes, oh my!
If you want to be a little more adventurous than masturbating and sleeping with people in your immediate household, the New York City Health Department has some safety recommendations. You should still always use condoms to prevent the transmission of STDs. They also recommend sexual positions and “physical barriers” that allow sexual contact without partners being face-to-face. A few ideas would be doggy style and wait for it…gloryholes. Who would have thought we would see the day when the health department suggested gloryholes? What a time to be alive.
Get Tested.
Get tested for STDs as usual, and if you are currently sleeping with a partner outside of your immediate household, you should consider adding COVID-19 testing as well. While it’s imperative not to see anyone while you have symptoms, some people may be asymptomatic and unknowingly spread it to others.
Self-Quarantine After a Hookup.
While it’s essential to protect yourself during this pandemic, it’s crucial to protect those around you. You would probably feel pretty guilty if you caught COVID-19 from a hookup and passed it to an elderly relative or someone with underlying health issues. To avoid spreading the COVID-19 to loved ones, always self-quarantine for 14 days after a casual encounter.
For more information on how to protect yourself from COVID-19, visit the New York City Health Department and CDC websites.
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