According to the New York City Health Department, the safest person you can have sex with is yourself or your housemates.
Now that the first wave of panic buying is over and most of us are stocked up on toilet paper, the next important consideration is how to keep busy. During your self-imposed house arrest, it’s likely that the urge to get cozy with your love interest has probably crossed your mind at least once, and so has the question: “But is it safe to have sex?”
If you ever had any uncertainty around the matter, the New York City Health Department has issued a set of clear and mildly entertaining guidelines that leave no possible room for doubts. Here’s a breakdown.
Soooo …
Since we’re all staying home, you might be wondering what to do with all that extra time. We got you, NYC. 😘
Read our guide on how to enjoy sex and avoid spreading #COVID19: https://t.co/fjjkfGgf3C
— nycHealthy – STAY HOME NYC (@nycHealthy) March 22, 2020
The document begins with the stuff you should already know by now like how the virus spreads. If you’ve just come back from a silent yoga retreat, and you don’t already know, this happens through direct contact with saliva or mucus, often through sneezing or coughing. Of course, for this to occur it must involve one or more persons with COVID-19, within a 6-foot radius.
It’s officially your civic duty to masturbate
“You are your safest sex partner” — obsessed with NYC’s guide to sex during corona pic.twitter.com/xuKRzD0Jhw
— Chrissy Rutherford (@chrissyford) March 21, 2020
Self-pleasure is okay, but this should be preceded by “[washing] your hands (and any sex toys) with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after sex.”
— nycHealthy – STAY HOME NYC (@nycHealthy) March 22, 2020
Oh ya, and @nycHealthy is responding to Twitter’s concerns…
Avoid (or at least, limit) multiple partners
I really ywant to meet the person whom these #corona sex rules helps.
“Well, I would come to the orgy Sharon, you know I would, but NYC has just released it’s guidelines and I really want to stay compliant.” #CoronavirusNewYork https://t.co/qEa2WUMavx
— totally legit (@SDLegit) March 22, 2020
Second to yourself, “the next safest partner is someone you live with.” According to the DOH “having close contact — including sex — with only a small circle of people helps prevent spreading COVID-19.”
“Rimming” is off the menu
(yes, the guidelines actually say this and no, we’re not making this up!) You can look it up for yourself, here.
Sexting is in again
If you normally engage in sex with someone outside of your home, for professional or recreational purposes, consider switching to video chat or other digital alternatives. “Consider taking a break from in-person dates. Video dates, sexting or chat rooms may be options for you.”
Add condoms and dental dams to your shopping list
Prophylactic measures reduce the risks of spreading the virus, according to the document. Another good way is to “avoid kissing anyone who is not part of your small circle of close contacts.”
Feeling hot and sweaty might not be a good thing
Sex should be avoided if either partner is known to have COVID-19, shows any signs or symptoms (such as fever, coughing, shortness of breath), or has any underlying health problems.
These tips are all intended to be practical and useful in containing the spread of the virus. For further information about practicing safe sex you can consult the official guidelines here.
featured image source: shutterstock