How to have safe sex in the time of a pandemic

Thanks to the sex-positive movement, we no longer talk about sex under a shroud of darkness. There’s no more need to talk about sex as if it was something forbidden, reckless, or wrong. We have come a long way since the times when people knew only what their parents and friends told them about sex, and we have since entered the age of sex positivity, education, and abundance of knowledge.

Sex and safety

Thanks to all these advancements, we know how to practice safe sex, and more importantly, we understand why it’s essential to do so. This has affected society as a whole in many ways — STIs no longer plague us (or kill us), and the unwanted pregnancy rate is down thanks to contraceptives. What’s more, we’ve generally learned how to enjoy sex (while staying safe) and experiment more.

When it comes to sex, we were practically in the golden age, and then the pandemic happened.

The impact of the pandemic on our sex lives

Back in March 2020, we all thought that coronavirus is something that will never reach the magnitude of a pandemic and that will pass in a matter of weeks. Once those first few weeks flew by, we comforted each other by saying we’ll have the COVID-19 vaccine soon, and everything will go back to normal.

Today, when we’re hit in the face with our new reality that includes wearing a mask at all times, washing hands like we’re all germaphobes, and avoiding kissing and all forms of social contacts, we can’t help but realize that everything in our lives changed due to the coronavirus.

Close contacts and person-to-person conversations became a thing of the past while we all retreated into our homes, which significantly affected our dating and sex lives. Avoiding sexual activities during the corona times, especially with strangers, became a matter of sexual health (as well as general).

However, being cooped in our homes and having no one to talk to really drove us crazy. It gave us an itch only wild, sexual encounters could scratch.

So now, we’re left with the question of how to have safe sex during a pandemic. Is it possible? Is it reasonable? More importantly, are there any tips we can follow?

Is it even possible to have safe sex during a pandemic?

The answer to this question isn’t as straightforward as it used to be. Before the pandemic became our new normal, we could always find someone to scratch that particular itch. We had sex left and right. Even if it didn’t seem to us like that at the time, sex was accessible.

Well, not anymore. You can’t just stroll into a bar and pick someone up. What’s more, you can’t even go through the torturous cycle of going on Tinder or blind dates because:

1. you have nowhere to go on your date,
2. you have no idea if your date is safe, virus-wise.

So what can we do?

One of the safe options is to have sex with people who are already in our social circle. If you have a steady partner, then you’re golden! However, if you don’t, you can always turn to your friends and neighbors.

Sounds easy, right? Of course not; we can’t just go around proposing sex to our friends. That’s how friendships get ruined. Sure, it might work out, but it also might be horrible. So what’s our best option?

Well, ourselves, of course.

Tips on how to practice safe sex

You know what they say — you are your safest sex partner. Playing with yourself doesn’t include fear of STIs, unwanted pregnancies, or awkward mornings. It’s an all-around win.

That’s especially true when you consider that Lady Thumb and her four maidens aren’t the only things you can use to have sex with yourself. With an abundance of sex toys on the market, your sex life doesn’t have to suffer during the pandemic.

What’s more, you can even use this time to get more acquainted with your body and try out some things you haven’t considered before. Even if you have a steady partner, this can be the age of revelation.

Have you ever tried a butt plug? No? Well, order one and see how you like it. The same goes for all other sex toys that tickled your fancy before.

Of course, abstinence and masturbation aren’t the only ways to practice safe sex. It is possible to have partnered sex during the pandemic. However, you have to be extra careful when you do it.

Spontaneous hookups that you agree to in the dead of night are no longer an option. Going to someone’s place at two in the morning now comes with additional risks that weren’t a part of our pre-pandemic reality.

So to have safe sex during the pandemic, you have to:

• Make sure your partner is healthy
• Ensure your own health
• Maintain a strict regimen of personal hygiene (wash your hands with soap and water and always wear a mask)
• Take precautions, such as vetting your potential partners and talking to them about their social bubbles.

Of course, as mentioned, you can also ditch the partner and stay at home with your toys.

Which toys should you go for

Depending on what you’re going for, you can take your pick between sex toy categories. Vibrators, dildos, and male masturbators are a common choice among people of both sexes.

However, if you want to use this time to experiment and try something you haven’t before, maybe consider getting a butt plug from Lovegasm. Once the world returns to normal (or forms a new picture of what normal looks like), you’ll know your way around all these new toys and get to experience them with a partner. Butt plugs are a great toy both for women and men because they can enrich both solo play and partnered play.

For example, getting an anal toy such as a butt plug can prove to be a great choice in the future. Vibrating butt plugs are great because you can have a hands-free solo session or let your partner control the toy for you.

Furthermore, if you’ve ever dreamed of getting pegged, a butt plug training kit might be an excellent choice for you. Train now to get pegged later!

Of course, you don’t have to get anal toys (or any other toys) just because you want to practice for the future. It’s perfectly fine to get a silicone butt plug, anal beads, a prostate massager, or any other kind of a toy to play with yourself and never use with a partner. Just make sure you get one with a flared base!

Protect yourself and everyone around you

Protecting ourselves and the people around us has become more vital than ever. It has always been an integral part of our lives. However, now, it’s paramount that we take all precautions we can to make sure we and those around us stay healthy.

Even when COVID-19 becomes a thing of the past and our world reopens, we must stay vigilant. Safe sex isn’t something only to be practice during the pandemic. It should be a vital part of our lives.

Having sex during these trying times isn’t forbidden. No one will judge you for it. However, make sure both you and your potential partners are aware of risks and know how to protect yourselves.