Face masks make sex safer in the time of Covid-19, New York City Health Department advises

(CNN)The New York City Health Department is encouraging people to “be creative” in its updated guidelines to help people have safer sex during the Covid-19 pandemic.

While the department still urges people to stay home as much as possible and minimize contact with others, the guidance says that during the pandemic people “will and should have sex.”

Is social distancing good for your dating life?

The guidelines were created to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19. They’ve been updated periodically to reflect the changing understanding of the disease.

The transmissibility of Covid-19 through sex hasn’t been studied closely.

    Scientists have found the coronavirus in feces and in men’s semen, even after the men have begun to recover from Covid-19. That means there’s a possibility the virus could be sexually transmitted, but not enough is known, and some scientists think it is unlikely.

    Some researchers have suggested that while abstinence carries the lowest risk of infection, it’s not a realistic option for many and the idea that sex would be “dangerous” could have “insidious psychological effects at a time when people are especially susceptible to mental health difficulties,” according to a study published in May.

    Other coronaviruses do not easily spread through sex, according to the New York City Health Department.

    A woman's eggs choose lucky sperm during last moments of conception, study finds

    Scientists do know it is a highly contagious respiratory illness though.

    Since Covid-19 can spread through saliva and breathing, the agency suggests people may want to wear a face covering or mask while having sex.

    “Make it a little kinky,” the guidelines say. “Be creative with sexual positions and physical barriers, like walls, that allow sexual contact while preventing close face to face contact.” Or people can masturbate together and keep physically distant, the guidelines suggest.

    The pain and possibility of thwarted gay pride celebrations

    The department reminds people that “

    you

    are your safest sex partner.” The next safest option is a consenting adult in the same household. If, however, there is an interest in sex with someone outside the household, the guidelines advise picking a partner one trusts to talk about their Covid-19 risk factors just like they would discuss condoms and other safer sex topics.

    Keep sex to two people since “large gatherings of any type are not safe during Covid-19.” If one desires to “find a crowd” for sex, pick larger, more open, and well-ventilated spaces, wear a face covering, and bring hand sanitizer.

    For people seeking sex online, the department advises people to take a break from in-person dates and stick to “sexy ‘Zoom parties'” or other video dates.

    Public shaming has become a common pastime during the pandemic. But it doesn't really work

    For those who want to “hook up” or have sex outside their close circle of contacts, the guidelines advise watching for symptoms, and getting tested for Covid-19 on monthly basis or within five to seven days after the hookup. Also, take precautions interacting with people at risk for getting a severe form of the disease. People older than age 65 or people with serious medical conditions need to be even more careful.

    The agency also reminds people that having antibodies against the virus or a prior positive diagnosis does not mean that they will be immune to the disease for good. It says people should be cautious in using the test to make a decision about who to have sex with and what kind of sex to have since an antibody test is not definite proof that the person is immune.

    New York isn’t the only local health department encouraging people to take precautions during the pandemic.

    Safety is now the sexiest word in travel

      The guidelines from Washington, DC, place a strong emphasis on having sex only if you both are feeling well and have good hand and sex toy hygiene. Oregon uses cute graphics to get the point across. San Francisco advises people to limit sex to “your main partner(s) or regulars that you live with and/or have sex with.”

      And if you do have to “stay physically distant from your honey,” as Austin’s guidelines put it, those guidelines give creative suggestions for date night during the pandemic.

      Categories

      • 16

        At-Home

      • 29

        Business

      • 176

        COVID-19 / Coronavirus

      • 370

        Economy

      • 5

        Education

      • 43

        Entertainment

      • 33

        Environment

      • 9

        Family

      • 0

        FAQ

      • 80

        Frontline Heroes

      • 25

        Government

      • 49

        Handwash Challenge

      • 45

        Healthcare

      • 5

        In Memory Of

      • 4

        Law Enforcement

      • 4

        Medical Equipment

      • 4

        Mental Health

      • 2

        Military

      • 108

        Pandemic

      • 0

        Personal Care

      • 94

        Politics

      • 10

        PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

      • 33

        Quarantine / Lockdown

      • 13

        Quarantine Art

      • 69

        Quarantivities

      • 1

        Receipes

      • 0

        Relationships

      • 52

        Religion

      • 43

        Safety Tips

      • 10

        Science

      • 129

        Shelter-In-Place

      • 17

        Silver Linings

      • 190

        Social Distancing

      • 6

        Social Justice

      • 1209

        Sports

      • 100

        Technology

      • 887

        Toilet Paper Times

      • 32

        TPT Lexicon

      • 2

        Wildlife

      • 154

        Worldwide

      • TP Times
      • Recent
      • Popular
      Mexican rave: the 10 best tequila cocktails – chosen by experts
      Quarantivities

      Mexican rave: the 10 best tequila cocktails – chosen by experts

      • By  The Toilet Paper Times
      A 10-year-old girl has sent more than 1,500 art kits to kids in foster care and homeless shelters during the coronavirus pandemic
      Quarantivities

      A 10-year-old girl has sent more than 1,500 art kits to kids in foster care and homeless shelters during the coronavirus pandemic

      • By  usa
      Mississippi’s Twisted Sisters: TikTok videos during coronavirus go viral
      Quarantivities

      Mississippi’s Twisted Sisters: TikTok videos during coronavirus go viral

      • By  The Toilet Paper Times
      What the Hell Happened This Week? | The Daily Social Distancing Show
      Entertainment Quarantivities Social Distancing

      What the Hell Happened This Week? | The Daily Social Distancing Show

      • By  video
      Coronavirus Update (Live): 96,409,214 Cases and 2,059,503 Deaths from COVID-19 Virus Pandemic
      Toilet Paper Times

      Coronavirus Update (Live): 96,409,214 Cases and 2,059,503 Deaths from COVID-19 Virus Pandemic

      • By  usa
      Meghan Markle Speaks with Young Victim
      Social Justice

      Meghan Markle Speaks with Young Victim

      • By  thetoiletpapertimes@gmail.com
      Princess Diana Would Have Been Fighting Institutional Racism
      Social Justice

      Princess Diana Would Have Been Fighting Institutional Racism

      • By  Gary Schwartz
      North Carolina Still Can't Race
      Social Distancing Sports

      North Carolina Still Can’t Race | Waiting for Judge to Rule

      • By  Gary Schwartz
      OCT. 26: DISCUSSING NEPAL WHILE EATING TOILET PAPER
      Toilet Paper Times

      OCT. 26: DISCUSSING NEPAL WHILE EATING TOILET PAPER

      • By  Toy Le Trolle
      How to hang toilet paper
      Toilet Paper Times

      How to hang toilet paper

      • By  Toy Le Trolle
      Cheap Chic Weddings 2009 Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest
      Toilet Paper Times

      Cheap Chic Weddings 2009 Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest

      • By  Toy Le Trolle
      Cheap Chic Weddings 2009 Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest
      Toilet Paper Times

      Cheap Chic Weddings 2009 Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest

      • By  Toy Le Trolle

      Tags

      activities air pollution Amazon Australia bidet Bundesliga canada China climate change deaths death toll disinfectant English Premier League Europe France funny Germany hydroxychloroquine India Italy Japan kids lockdown Lysol masks New York NYC oil industry ppe prayer quarantine shortages soccer songs Spain stats texas Toilet Paper Trump uk unemployment United Kingdom United States W.H.O. White House briefing