New York City has become the epicenter of the fast-spreading coronavirus pandemic, with 12,305 cases as of Monday afternoon, with the total number of deaths reaching close to 100. While the state’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, last week issued a statewide stay at home order, ordering all but “essential” businesses to close and state residents to stay in their homes at all times possible, there is one type of personal interaction that even the governor can’t shut down—sex.
But that fact has not been lost on the New York City Health Department, which last week issued a set of guidelines to enable New Yorkers to go ahead and get it on, while minimizing the chance of spreading the deadly coronavirus.
COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus, is not believed to be a “sexually transmitted disease,” meaning that the virus—at least according to current findings—has not been detected in semen or vaginal fluid, and does not appear to “efficiently transmit through sex.”
But with people worldwide told to keep at least six feet of distance from others, person-on-person sexual activity would appear to be a near-certain method to transmit the virus, even if it is not “sexually transmitted.” The virus is transmitted through other bodily fluids such as saliva and mucus.
The guidelines are detailed, and nearly two pages of small type. But they could be summarized with the following spoiler alert: jerking off is good, rim jobs are bad.
"You are your safest sex partner. Masturbation will not spread COVID-19, especially if you wash your hands ... with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after sex," the guidelines say.
On the other hand, “Rimming (mouth on anus) might spread COVID-19,” the guidelines say. What’s the reason? According to the New York City document, the virus has been detected in human feces, which could “enter your mouth” during a rim job.
The guidelines emphatically state that whatever type of sex one might be having, washing—particularly hand-washing—is of absolute bedrock importance to allow “safe” sex in the coronavirus era. While masturbation may be safe, those who use sex toys for that purpose (or any purpose) must wash the devices with soap and warm water—which should be standard practice anyway, but becomes even more essential during the pandemic.
Finally, the guidelines contain what would also be good advice in any situation, but becomes essential in the coronavirus pandemic.
“Skip sex if you or your partner is not feeling well,” the city tells New Yorkers. “If you or a partner may have COVID-19, avoid sex and especially kissing.”
Telltale symptoms of the disease include “fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath.”
Photo By Daniel Schwen / Wikimedia Commons
