COVID-19: A time to reconnect cautiously
Sexual intimacy is an important part of connection — here’s how to do it safely
If there’s one positive to be drawn from the consequences of living amid COVID-19, additional time spent with family and loved ones might be it. Some families are consistently dining with all members present at the table for the first time in years.
For intimate couples, staying closer to home can also present an opportunity to grow closer. While emotional reconnection is safe, does physical reconnection in the form of sexual intimacy in the time of the novel coronavirus pose significant risks?
As far as we know, COVID-19 is not transmitted sexually. That is, the virus isn’t passed from one person to another via sexual intercourse. Of course, what we do know is the virus is spread through infected droplets or mucous coming into contact with a person’s face, eyes or nose. This therefore creates a situation where close intimate contact with an infected partner is likely to result in transmission of the virus.
How then do we take extra precaution when it comes to having sex? Two health authorities in the United States — the New York City Department of Health and the Government of the District of Columbia (D.C.) — have shared their guidelines for safe sex during the global pandemic.
Both authorities make it clear that the safest sexual partner is yourself. Diligent handwashing and thorough cleaning of any accessories should provide an environment for pleasure without increasing the risk of spreading the virus. Assuming people will not rely solely on going solo, there are other steps to take to enjoy intimacy without fear of infecting one’s partner.
The next safest partner is one you live with. Close contact with a live-in significant other is inevitable, with or without sexual contact. In the event that both partners are feeling healthy, handwashing with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after sex is a must. Physical barriers like condoms and dental dams can also be effective in reducing contact with saliva and other bodily fluids.
Regardless of extra precatuions, sex should be avoided if your partner is feeling unwell or exhbiting any symptoms associated with coronavirus. Fever, cough, shortness of breath and sore throat are all common symptoms in those who’ve become ill from the virus. The World Health Organization also lists congestion, runny nose, aches and pains, and diarrhea as potential symptoms. If you or your partner exhibit any of the above, avoid intimate contact.
Of course, sexual intimacy is just one way of expressing love and reconnecting while cooped up at home. In a time when millions of people are experiencing feelings of anxiety at the prospects of loved ones becoming ill, losing a job, and a return to normalcy being nowhere in sight, an opportunity is afforded to discuss these feelings.
Communicating feelings with a partner without expecting a resolution can give air to a relationship that is lacking in emotional intimacy. We rely on others for support, and a loving partner is more important now than ever. If extra time spent at home can be used for connecting with loved ones, it might establish healthy communication habits for the future — and might be something we can all agree was a positive outcome of living through the COVID-19 pandemic.
