Sex During Quarantine 2/4: Keepin’ It Casual
This is #2 of 4 blog posts in the Sex During Quarantine series.
Wanting to hook up during quarantine?
COVID-19 will continue to impact hook-up culture as the practice of physical distancing remains. In terms of the organic ways people meet up after swiping right—such as meeting at a bar or restaurant for drinks—it already has. The will have significant impact on sex workers. As our social distance shrinks, so do our income, and demand for personal sessions with sex workers will decline.
People are craving connection right now and for some, horniness will win out over social distancing.
My suggestion if you’re feeling sexy and wanting to hook up?
YOU are your safest sex partner. Masturbation does not spread COVID-19. Don’t forget to wash your hands with soap and water, along with any sex toys used, for at least 20 seconds before and after sex. The next safest partner is someone you live with. The NYC Health Department recommends having close contact—including sex—with only a small circle of people helps prevent spreading the virus.
If you do have sex outside your household, have as few partners as possible. Kissing can easily pass COVID-19. Avoid kissing anyone outside of your small circle of contacts. If you choose to participate in rimming (mouth on anus), know that virus in feces may spread COVID-19.
Use of condoms and dental dams can reduce contact with saliva or feces, especially during oral or anal sex. Washing up before and after sex is more important that ever. Make this a habit.
Additionally, if you make a living by having sex, consider online camming sessions, sexting, or sending nude photos.
You don’t need to delete your dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, or Grindr. They provide communities of social support, not just physical intimacy. However, I do advocate that saying no to hook-up culture right now means keeping everyone safe and healthy. Make following the CDC guidelines the sexiest thing you do.
All this time alone…is there such a thing as too much masturbation?
What does “too much” mean? “Too much” is relative. David Ley, a clinical psychologist who wrote The Myth of Sex Addiction, recommends asking a better question: Do you feel comfortable with the amount of masturbation you are doing? Do you feel like it’s a healthy part of your life? Have you ever sat down and thought about your masturbation habits, or talked to your partner about it?
Typically, what constitutes “too much” masturbation is context. Too much for your religion, too much for your partner, too much for what Google told you.
What we are still getting wrong about self pleasure is there is way TOO MUCH shame and guilt surrounding it. Masturbation is an amazing way to get to know your body, your likes, dislikes, and practice with your erectile diversities. Especially during this trying time, the safest person to have sex with is yourself.