Try these tips for dating safely post-vaccination in time of COVID-19
As more and more Americans are getting their dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, getting a new shot at love doesn’t seem too far out of reach. When getting back into the dating scene this summer, make sure you’re taking the proper precautions.
Dr. Caleb Alder, a licensed psychiatrist at UC Health and a professor at the University of Cincinnati, shares some of his tips for dating safely and responsibly.
Dating after the COVID-19 vaccine:Cincinnati singles are giving love another shot
1. It’s OK to be nervous
Despite the lessened COVID-19 restrictions in Ohio and wide distribution of vaccines, Adler says it’s completely normal to be nervous about getting back out there.
“If dating apps didn’t exist. This would be a great time to invent them,” Adler said. “They can help alleviate the anxiety people have (as they) get back into dating. And of course, most people are going to have many people I should say, will probably have some residual anxiety around COVID I mean we’ve all spent a year, hearing about all the things we shouldn’t do, now we’re being told, okay if you’re vaccinated. You can resume your social activities, but it’s one thing to hear that it’s another thing to really believe that at a deep emotional level.”
2. Slow and steady wins the race
We may have been stuck at home for a year, but it Dr. Adler says it’s still important to use caution.
“Younger people, for whom a year, year and a half, is a really large percentage of their life, who have been out of the dating pool essentially because of (COVID), may feel an urge to jump in precipitously. And that can have its own its own negative consequences,” Adler said.
“Some people, in fact, may not be nervous enough,” he continued.
“Think about it if we all stopped riding a bike for a year and a half. Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t get back on the bike. (But) maybe we don’t jump on the bike and do the Tour de France. … When we feel the need to go pedaling off into the distance. (With) dating, some people may feel an urge to leap in when perhaps going a little bit slower and getting used to it again might bein the long run, safer and healthier.”
3. Think what your likes say about you
Some have taken the route of advertising their vaccination status on dating apps for potentials partners to see. Apps such as Tinder have shown that over half of their users wouldn’t date someone who wasn’t vaccinated.
Adler says this advertisement, especially in the current climate, have meanings deeper than we may realize.
“So for instance, people are announcing whether they’re vaccinated or not vaccinated on social media or in their dating apps. There’s presumably an element of assuring people are less likely to have the COVID, but it’s also an element of essentially declaring your beliefs or your tribe for individuals who share a collection of beliefs,” he said. (It’s) advertising their membership in a particular group or particular political views. So, it is probably something people can ask about because it carries a weight of meaning beyond. It says something about their larger political beliefs or it certainly can be taken that way.”
