How To Have Safe Sex During a Pandemic
Information from Canada’s Top Doctor
Depending on where you’re currently living in Canada, you’ll be under some degree of social/physical distancing restrictions meant to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
In Quebec, people are being told to limit gatherings to groups of 10 people, while keeping two-metres apart. British Columbians also must keep two-metres apart, with the upper-limit on gatherings currently set at 50 people — 100 in Ontario.
No matter the province in which you reside, health authorities are encouraging everyone to keep at least six-feet apart from anyone who isn’t in your household or immediate “bubble”.
This poses a serious challenge for those who are looking to strike up a new romance. How can we safely meet new people and engage in safe sexual activity at a time when the world-over is living through the worst pandemic in a century?
We all know that sexual health — including a healthy sex life — is an important part of overall health. And since our neighbours to the south and across the pond are celebrating Sexual Health Awareness Month, we thought we’d share some of the ways national and local health authorities are telling us to keep sexually safe during lockdown.
Monitor yourself and partner for symptoms
You may have heard Covid-19 referred to as disease caused by the “novel coronavirus”. Novel means new — which also means that we’re constantly learning new things about the virus, including the most common symptoms.
Some symptoms can be subtle, and you may experience only one of them, or several. Either way, now is a time to be extra cautious. If you or your partner are experiencing any of the symptoms below, don’t have sex — it won’t be forever.
- Aches and pains
- Nasal congestion
- Headache
- Pink eye
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea
- Lost of taste/smell
- Rash on skin
- Discolouration of fingers/toes
Skip kissing and close face-to-face contact
Sex is about much more than intercourse. Kissing is an important form of intimacy that usually figures prominently in sexual activity. However, since the virus is thought to be transmitted through tiny droplets that are expelled by talking, coughing or sneezing, and land in another person’s mouth or nose, kissing should be avoided.
You can also limit face-to-face contact or closeness by using positions that involve having your partner’s back turned to you. To be extra safe, Canada’s top doctor Theresa Tam recommends considering wearing a mask or other face coverings during sexual activity.
Be aware of your partner’s potential for elevated risk of infection
While most coronavirus infections don’t result in hospitalization or serious complications, for some, Covid-19 can mean extended stays in the ICU, long term effects, and even death. That’s why it’s extremely important to share with your partner if you have any underlying medical conditions, have a compromised immune system, or are clinically obese.
All of these factors can put you at higher risk of developing serious complications. If this is the case for you or your partner, you may have to skip sexual activity all together.
Follow normal safe-sex and hygience practices
Pandemic or not, you and your partner should always be engaging in safe sex. Using a condom or other protective measures like a dental dam can help reduce the chance of catching a sexually transmitted infection.
You should also get tested regularly for STIs and be aware of your partner’s current sexual health. Now is also a good time to make sure you’re washing hands with warm soap and water regularly, especially before and after sex.
The Takeaway
In these challenging times that have turned everything on its head, it’s important to take care of all aspects of our health, including physical, emotional, mental and sexual. The pandemic has taken away much of our ability to meet new people and socialize, taking a toll on our mental health.
If you can’t safely engage in sex amid Covid-19, consider virtual options like phone and video calls. And don’t forget, a healthy sex life isn’t just about engaging in sex with a partner. As long as you’re washing your hands and staying safe, you are always your safest sexual partner.
