HOW TO TREAT THE PANDEMIC LIKE YOUR SEX LIFE

Guest written by Missy Modell in collaboration with Epidemiologist, Amanda Morse. Missy Model is a musical parody artist and activist focused on the intersection of social justice and pop culture. Missy is the founder of YES MAM Creative, a consultancy for mission-based brands. You can find Missy on Instagram at @missymodell.

When entering new levels of physical intimacy on a sexual level, there are certain boundaries that we set in order to protect and maintain our wellbeing. Similarly, as life starts to “open up” and the pandemic waxes and wanes, we are once again called to interact with people on a daily basis. After the year we’ve had, socializing may feel uncomfortable, bizarre, and straight up...awkward? 

We are all so starved for IRL connection but also find that things can get tricky when advocating for your personal safety. When I asked my friend, brilliant epidemiologist Amanda Morse, about this, she had a hot take: think of anyone you hang out or interact with during the pandemic, as a new sexual partner. We could effectively apply the boundaries we create in the bedroom to our social life? My mind was blown. Let’s discuss!

QUICK LINKS:

1. Strengthening Communication During the Pandemic
2. Staying Safe During the Pandemic
3. Managing Mental Health During the Pandemic

"Think of anyone you hang out or interact with during the pandemic, as a new sexual partner."

How to Communicate Your Needs During the Pandemic

First things first, communication. Strong communication and setting boundaries are the key to amazing sex, right? The same goes for your overall health and safety! For example, if you are using birth control, you already have great protection against pregnancy but not necessarily STI’s or STD’s. With a new partner or partners, using condoms adds that extra layer of protection, against both pregnancy and STI’s/STD’s. Additionally, getting tested regularly, whether COVID or STI’s, helps you become more self aware of your health and communicate better with others. 

Vaccine Realness: The Vaccine is Your Barrier Method

If you’re fully vaccinated, you have the advantage of heightened immunity, but not total protection against illness (especially as new variants continue to emerge.) While we may not all be sexual partners, we still exist in this space where our personal health choices impact others. Therefore, we all have a responsibility to keep each other healthy! This starts with boundary setting, as well as discussing what we are or are not comfortable with; this will hopefully allow us to find comfort in a shared sense of “normalcy”.

“We’re not over the finish line yet, but we’re getting close, and vaccines are our best chance of getting there. Until we have that level of protection, though, practice setting boundaries so you can feel safe and comfortable while seeing friends and enjoying normal activities like dating.”
- (Making Health Public), Amanda Morse

To help you navigate, here’s 5 questions to ask others even if you’re vaccinated:

1. Have you been traveling?
2. Do you wear masks inside of stores?
3. Are you going to parties?
4. Are you fully vaccinated?
5. Are you comfortable eating indoors or outdoors?

Vaccines are extremely effective, however nothing is ever 100% (hello, condoms!) When vaccinated, low risk does not equal no risk, especially in an environment where the Delta variant continues to mutate and you’re potentially around unvaccinated people. So, we recommend erring on the side of caution as a safe bet!

Navigating Mental Health and Sexual Health During the Pandemic

One of the most important factors of looking out for ourselves during these confusing times is to make sure we continue to look after our mental health. Behavioral health is often overlooked and directly correlates to how to feel and operate in the world around us! Since the start of the pandemic, we have all been deprived of serotonin and dopamine. Routines have been shifted, gatherings have been curtailed, and our sense of connection to others may feel stunted. I get it, I’m over it too. But as we continue to navigate this new world and the stressors it may bring, we need not only protections against disease, but also support for our behavioral and mental health. That is truly how we will get through this! We encourage you to find ways to connect with both yourself and others, while also recognizing that it’s time to pause and rest. Whether it’s journaling, having an orgasm, taking a nap, or all of the above, make sure to listen to YOUR boundaries and comfort level. Because nothing is sexier than feeling safe.

Further Readings:

COVID-19 & Your Sexual Health: Planned Parenthood
How to Have Pleasurable Sex During COVID: Healthline
Intimacy, Sex, & COVID-19: Harvard University 

WITH PLEASURE,

LOVERS