Navigating safe sex during coronavirus

With millions of New Yorkers locked indoors as a safety precaution, one of the organisations tasked with keeping residents safe, the New York Health Department, has issued guidelines on enjoying sex safely during the coronavirus crisis.

While the bulletin concedes that not everything is known about coronavirus and sex, it warns all New Yorkers to stay home and minimise contact with others to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

"We still have a lot to learn about COVID-19 and sex, but the virus can be spread through direct contact with saliva and mucus," the alert outlined. "Kissing can easily pass on the virus, so avoid kissing anyone who is not part of your small circle of close contacts. COVID-9 has not yet been found in semen or vaginal fluid," it added.

"You are your safest sex partner," the alert advised. "Masturbation will not spread COVID-19, especially if you wash your hands and any sex toys with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after sex. The next safest sex partner during coronavirus is someone you live with. You should avoid close contact -- including sex -- with anyone outside your household. If you do have sex with others, have as few partners as possible. If you usually meet your sex partners online or make a living by having sex, consider taking a break from in-person dates. Video dates, sexting or chat rooms may be options for you. And disinfect keyboards and touch screens that you share with others (for video chat, for watching pornography or for anything else)."

SEX GUIDE

Vassell O'Gilvie, a licensed Jamaican psychotherapist from Porus, Manchester, who has a practice in New York, had this to say about the sex guide.

"Sex is a natural part of human life. So those who work in the sex industry will continue to work for financial needs. My advice is to take all necessary precautions that entail safety for yourself and your customer or partner. It is imperative that PPE be used (condoms, masks, sanitiser, gloves), but most important, use common sense too," O'Gilvie said.

And a younger Jamaican in New York, Rhythm Piink, a rising hip-hop and dancehall influencer in New York, said it is very important to highlight safety precautions.

"Phone sex, or what reggae singer J.C. Lodge called telephone love back in the day, is now a big rage. Face Time is the new private pleasure palace for most couples, singles and side chicks because of social distancing. And a tip to the females who love oral sex: it should be practised safely with condoms," Rhythm Piink said.