Among all of the various rules and guidelines that have come down in relation to the ongoing global pandemic, one has felt like it's harder than others: no sex. Ok that's not the exact guideline, but when the hysteria started that's what it felt like. Pretty early on the New York Department of Health released a set of guidelines in a one-sheet aimed at addressing many of our sex-related questions, even though not much was known about the virus. Now, as New York heads into the phase one of its re-opening, there's an update.
It's time to get kinky!
"Updated guidance on sex in the age of [the pandemic,]" Dr. Demetre Daskalakis wrote in a tweet, linking to the new guidelines "The pandemic changes and so does our guidance."
While the new "safer sex" guidelines still maintain that "you are your safest sex partner," fathered by the next consenting adult that you live with, advisors have gone ahead and also provided some guidance for those who just can't make that work. They advise limiting contact with anyone outside of the house, and say that "if two is company then three (or more) is definitely a crowd," and as a result not safe. Still, if you have decided to go out with a group "pick larger, more open, and well-ventilated spaces," wear a mask and avoid kissing or touching your face, and "bring an alcohol-based hand sanitizer."
The new guidelines also still want you to rely on virtual sex if possible, and in addition to all of the other testing you do as a sexually active person, consider adding an anti-body test regularly. But when getting down to the actual acts, there are also some things to know. We don't know whether rimming could spread the virus, but that's a possibility. Also, you should consider wearing "a face covering or mask" that covers your nose and mouth as "heavy breathing and panting" could spread things. They also explicitly advise making things kinky by getting "creative with sexual positions and physical barriers, like walls, that allow sexual contact while preventing close face to face contact.
Open the gloryholes back up!
The new rules come after a study by Harvard physicians published in Annals of Internal Medicine also advocated for the use of masks.
That said, hygiene is key. Make sure to wash up before and after! And we would assume that using multiple gloryholes back to back -- as is the habit at some venues -- probably defeats the purpose.
Oh, and condoms still help! "Condoms and dental dams can reduce contact with saliva, semen, or feces" during sex which could mitigate transmission. To that end, the department has also launched Door 2 Door, a new citywide home delivery service that serves communities with at-home HIV testing, emergency contraception, PEP, condoms, and more.
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