Here's how to have truly 'safe sex' during the pandemic
More under this adLockdowns and social distancing make it hard to get intimate. But, if you do want to have sex, Dr Michael Brady suggests some precautions.
People with partners in different houses or even those who just want to pair up for some stress release have been advised to take precautions when getting intimate to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
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'Safe sex' to prevent the spread of COVID-19
Getting between the sheet invites a host of breathing and bodily fluids that makes the perfect environment for the transmission of COVID-19. That's why Dr Michael Brady, medical director of the UK sex health charity Terrence Higgins Trust has given everyone some recommendations that take the idea of 'safe sex' to a whole other level. He stated:
More under this adMore under this adSex is a very important part of life and, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we all need to find ways to balance our need for sex and intimacy with the risks of the spread of COVID-19.
Dr Brady continued:
As there are increasing concerns about a 'second wave' of COVID-19 your best sexual partner during the pandemic is you or someone you live with. Having said that, there are ways to make your sex as safe as possible.More under this adMore under this ad
Maybe keep your masks on?
In order to keep everyone safe, Dr Brady has advised those who don't live together to have sex using positions where the participants face away from each other. He also suggests keeping your masks on during your throes of passion to make sure any droplets don't get launched into the air.
To add to the safety procedures, the Terrence Higgins Trust has also claimed that sexual practices of blow jobs and rimming should be avoided as traces of the disease have been found in both semen and poop. This means that condoms are also an absolute necessity. The Trust stated:
More under this adMore under this adMasturbation, using sex toys and phone or cam sex are the safest options as they can be done without being in close proximity to anyone else. Just make sure that if you're having cam sex you don't share images that might identify you, unless you want to, and that you aren't pressured into anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
And most of all, the trust recommends for those getting down and dirty to wash their hands both before and after for 20 seconds:
More under this adMore under this adWashing your hands for more than 20 seconds (or using hand sanitiser) before and after sex will also reduce the risk.
Please, even without a pandemic, remember to wash your hands after sex.