Has COVID brought the dating market to its knees?
Not quite, although, as one would suspect, people are trying to balance staying healthy and safe with keeping their love lives from going full-on rusty.
But there's no question that, with many businesses ground to a halt and crowd-attracting events nixed indefinitely, it limits opportunities to meet and connect with people.
Social distancing and reduced capacity limits in restaurants, movie theaters, and other venues where you might ordinarily strike up a conversation with someone doesn't exactly lend itself to romance.
Thankfully, with the rollout of vaccines, we may finally be turning the corner, as deaths and cases have been dropping sharply in recent weeks.
Just because we are still in the middle of a pandemic doesn't mean you can't go on dates, but you should insist that whoever you meet get tested, as he or she may ask you as well.
It isn't as if meeting in a quiet restaurant, mall, or park is all bad. Think about it: you have less noise and commotion with which to contend than you might otherwise have in normal times.
It can actually make for a more relaxing, romantic ambience, especially if you're meeting for a candlelight dinner or have arranged to go for a walk at the beach at night.
These are unprecedented times, which is why people should be cognizant of the fact that their date might not be in any hurry to round second base.
Don't rush it, as it will surely put the other person off. For example, she might be acutely health-conscious due to a preexisting condition she or someone in her family might have.
That being said, you'd be wise to keep your distance (and your mask on) until your date feels comfortable enough to loosen up a bit.
Remember that the internet is remains one of the safest ways to widen your dating pool in the age of COVID-19.
Not only does it ensure you don't make someone uneasy by violating social distancing guidelines and invading their space, but it gives you the opportunity to mine for men or women who are actually single and looking.
We'll get through this! Ten bucks says the dating market will be bustling like never before once quarantine is lifted and people can go about their regular pre-pandemic lives.
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