How do you date during a pandemic?
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COVID-19 lockdowns have lifted, and people are starting to date again. But the dating scene has changed, at least for the time being.
Dating in the best of circumstances comes with its own set of anxieties, but pandemic dating is a different beast entirely. Social distancing has us staying home a lot more, reducing our chances of meeting a potential romantic interest in real life. For safety, online daters are trying Zoom or FaceTime dates instead of meeting up right away. Others are going on walks and staying outdoors.
Even with the challenges, folks are determined to date. But when is it safe to hold hands, or have a first kiss?
Our guests, Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz and Lisa Bonos, shared some advice for those navigating the dating scene right now.
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If dating apps aren’t your thing, Bonos suggested asking friends if they can introduce you to other single people.
“You don't have to be restricted by your immediate geographic area now,” she said.
Or maybe there’s a singles group in the area that hosts virtual happy hour. Or maybe you can find a running club or a hiking club.
“Those are generally seen as safer activities,” Singh-Kurtz said. “You can meet people and everyone's masked up. If that feels safe to you, you could maybe meet some new folks with similar interests in a safe environment.”
Guests:
Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz is a senior writer at The Cut from New York Magazine.
Lisa Bonos writes about dating and relationships for the Washington Post.
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