Pacer Pillowtalk: Socially distancing ... sex?

Necessary question time: Is it considered “safe” to have sex during a pandemic?

The Mayo Clinic explains that any “close contact (within 6 feet or 2 meters) with an infected person can expose you to the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),” whether you’re having sex or not.

Because the virus is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person talks, sneezes or coughs, “coming into contact with a person's spit through kissing or other sexual activities could expose you to the virus,” according to the research facility.

Continuing, the Mayo Clinic asserts that “people who have COVID-19 could also spread respiratory droplets onto their skin and personal belongings.”

Basically, if they have the virus, and their droplets land on you or your belongings, you are at risk.

Though there is no evidence that COVID-19 is spread through semen or vaginal fluid, “the virus has been detected in the semen of people who have or are recovering from the virus.”

Some people don’t show symptoms of the virus, making it hard to detect who is “sick” or not.

Mayo Clinic advises people to “ … avoid sexual contact with anybody who doesn't live with you. If you or your partner isn't feeling well or think you might have COVID-19, don't kiss or have sex with each other until you're both feeling better.”

They also explain the safest sex to have during this time is masturbation. Be sure to sanitize your hands and toys before and after masturbation to practice safe sex.

The clinic also advises people (if possible) to not have sex with anyone that does not live in their household.