Sex During The Corona-virus Pandemic
Dear Friends,
As you well know right now we should all stay at home and avoid contact with others outside of our homes, the lockdowns and curfew measures are there to keep you and your family safe in this uncertain and stressful time.
One of the questions that is not openly being asked but is in the minds of many is whether it is safe to have sex during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Before I answer this question, first you need to know how COVID-19 spreads.
According to WHO (World Health Organization), “People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales.
These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.
People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets.
This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.”
Here is what is known so far about COVID-19 and sex.
1. The COVID-19 virus has been found in the feces of people who are infected with the virus.
- It has not yet been found in the semen or vaginal fluid.
- Other corona-viruses do not efficiently transmit through sex.
2. Only have sex with your spouse or partner, in other words, only with people who are close to you and are living with you.
- The safest way is self-pleasure or masturbation. This will not spread the virus provided you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds both before and after masturbating.
- Avoid having sex with multiple partners and with anyone whom you need to go out to meet.
3. What precautions to take during sex?
Covid-19 can be easily transmitted through kissing, so avoid kissing anyone who is not your intimate partner.
- Avoid anal or oral sex as it might spread COVID-19.
- Use condoms.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after sex.
- Disinfect your laptops, keyboards, mobiles, or any other device that you use for watching porn.
These are general guidelines and recommendations that can be changed as and when more information is gathered by various credible medical and health agencies around the world.
4. When to avoid sex or skip it altogether.
Do not have sex or even kiss if you or your partner is feeling unwell, especially if you feel that you are developing any of the symptoms of COVID-19 which include fever, sore throat, shortness of breath, or cough.
Avoid sex if you or your partner already suffer from any medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or a weak immune system. These conditions can lead to more severe COVID-19.
5. Avoid unplanned pregnancy.
- Use effective birth control measures and contraceptives.
In summary, during this health crisis in which most of us are confined to our homes, maintaining proper personal hygiene and precautions becomes more important than ever in every aspect of our life including our sex life.
Please adhere to all the government advisories, don’t fall for myths. Fact check every rumour and don’t panic.
Keep healthy and safe.
You can check some myth-busters about COVID-19:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
Sources: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/imm/covid-sex-guidance.pdf
Note: This is the current information available at the moment of writing this article, I will do my utmost to keep on updating it as and how new information is made available. However, You should always do your own due diligence. This information is for educational purposes only and not meant as medical advice.