An Online Discussion About Sexual and Emotional Health During a Pandemic
On Friday, July 17, Kishi Martin, Peer Navigator at Care Resource, Myka Osorio, PrEP Navigator, and Paul Seligmann, PrEP Coordinator, spoke on about opportunities to further ensure sexual safety while maintaining intimate connections during COVID-19 on the health center’s monthly LIVE feed on Care Resource’s Facebook channel.
This monthly live-feed show titled, “The Health Connection” is an online forum on Facebook where viewers can engage in interactive conversations with healthcare specialists. Further topics include but are not limited to discussions about safe sex, behavioral health during a pandemic, and returning to a “new normal.”.
During the show, it was discussed that sex during this pandemic should reflect one’s interest in protecting ourselves and communities from transmission. Safe sex is usually characterized as a consensual meeting where measures to prevent HIV and STD transmission have been taken, and the participants are informed about one another’s HIV/STD status. During this time, it is encouraged that partners also undergo a COVID-19 nasal swab, saliva, and antibody testing to reduce the risk of transmission. As antibody test results are not definite proof of immunity, individuals should still make the decision to have sex cautiously and thoughtfully.
Moreover, it was discussed that partners should ask each other if they have been experiencing fever, cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath. Asking about symptoms is not a foolproof way to know whether someone has COVID-19. Most people with COVID-19 exhibit symptoms, but asymptomatic spread is possible.
The conversation about how to have safe sex during COVID-19 is part of the larger one about how we can remain connected during a pandemic. These compassionate exchanges may support emotional health and perhaps provide more clarity on how to have fun, safe sex during COVID-19. This is a time to reassess our individual and collective practices, only growing from the lessons we are sure to learn.
