The Safest Ways To Date Right Now, According To An MD

To feel connected and maintain a sense of normalcy during social isolation, many people are staying active on dating apps. But what happens after swiping, matching, and a few messages progress into wanting to meet? We consulted integrative medicine doctor Bindiya Gandhi, M.D., who provided tips for dating amid a global pandemic. 

Using apps to meet people might not be new, but the continued virtual dating is relatively new—and in some ways, safer. "If you're meeting someone on an app, now you're not just swiping, messaging, and meeting up with them," she said. "You can kind of prescreen before just meeting up in person."

That being said, if both you and your date have been quarantined for the past two weeks, it would be OK to meet in person. "But the odds of that happening are pretty low," she said. "With many people going to the grocery store, and in some cases, still going into work, it's hard to ensure your date hasn't come in contact with others." 

While COVID-19 cannot be transmitted sexually, the close contact is not recommended. "On top of thinking about coronavirus," she said, "you still need to be thinking about STDs." To practice safety all around, explore these four creative ways to have sex during the pandemic.

"And granted, a few months from now, hopefully you're not only able to walk your dogs 6 feet apart or video chat," she said. "But maybe you can actually hold hands." Now that's something to look forward to.