Covid-19 has flipped the world on its head. With its high infection rate (around 2-6 persons per infected individual), many people have locked themselves and their family in their homes. Yet still, others have come to realize there are some things worse than catching the corona virus: being unable to feed their family, depression, and loneliness. So everyday, millions of people decide to brave the world by going to work, meeting with friends and families, and yes, to find love.
Online Dating has not Changed with Covid
Meeting new people online have not changed much since online dating took over the world ten years ago. Many people have put their love life online, exchanging witty comments with strangers who reel them in with their highly filtered and staged photos. Introductions are made online, but do people actually meet up?
Meeting With a Stranger During the Pandemic
During the initial weeks of the coronavirus, many people were hesitant to meet up. A few women I matched with were interested in a relationship consisting of mostly text messages and facetime, which I had no desire in, as I was not in the market for pen pals.
But over the weeks and months of the initial panic, many people realized that Covid-19 was not leaving anytime soon. Some people decided the virus was not worth putting their lives on hold for and I met my dates in person.
Any good relationship should be built on trust and both parties should be mindful to not meet up in person if they are experiencing any symptoms or was around anybody who caught “the rona.” This part is easy, the actual meet up gets more complicated.
The new norms of first dates have changed. Do we greet each other with a hug or waive from afar? Will we be wearing masks? Will we stay 6ft apart? During our time of explicit consent, some may want to lay out all provisions in a written contract. I prefer to go with the flow in what seems right in the moment. Just make sure to respect the other person’s boundaries.
Being mindful of the amount of risk I take, I keep my dates outdoors. Most of the time we meet up for coffee or go for a walk. I have had more lattes (whole milk, unsweetened) in these last couple months than I have had in my whole life.
Covid -19 had put the brakes on our society. But with preparation, we can continue with our lives and maybe find love too.