Covid dating: A shopping guide to help you safely date
Medical experts advise on how to safely date once you’re ready to move on from virtual dates into in-person meetups.
In the past, your biggest question might have been whether you’re going to share the bill or the aforementioned first kiss. But now, it’s whether you’re going to swap a potentially deadly disease if you both aren’t careful and take precautions. So before heading to an outdoor dining date, we got some recommendations on what to keep close from the experts we consulted.
For anyone considering heading out on an outdoor date, Turner recommended making sure you have a thermometer for home use first, in case you're not feeling well ahead of time. This smart, no-touch model is Amazon’s No. 1 bestselling health care thermometer, one we’ve deemed one of the best digital thermometers.
When it’s cold out, it’s only natural to want to layer up and that’s exactly what neck gaiters and scarves are during the COVID-19 pandemic: an extra layer and not something to be worn instead of a face mask. This tactical neck warmer is fleece-lined to retain heat and can be worn over your ears, mouth and nose or pulled down to keep your neck warm while you’re eating.
So to help keep warm if you’re going to be spending an extended period of time outside and still protected, pop this winter face mask and neck gaiter combo over your disposable mask. “Please don't rely on typical cold-weather face coverings alone for preventing the spread of COVID-19,” said Turner. “Layering a fleece or winter mask over a cloth or paper, disposable face mask for warmth is okay, as long as you can breathe comfortably.”
Anyone who has had to sit outside in the blustery cold without any type of hat is familiar with the unique misery that comes with freezing ears. Instead of focusing on how uncomfortably cold you are, rock a fleece-lined hat so you can concentrate on your date instead. This knitted wool hat for men and women comes in two patterns and a variety of color options. But it’s the artificial wool inner liner for optimal coziness that makes this machine-washable hat an outdoor date night win.
If you’re eating outside in the cold, the last thing you want to have to do is slip off your gloves and hold chilly utensils the entire meal — especially if you don’t know whose hands have been on them. That’s where these lightweight gloves come in. Thin enough that you can use cutlery without struggling with added bulk, these water-repellent gloves will keep your hands warm while you eat with a velvet inner layer.
Although these gloves were originally intended for activities like cycling or running, their anti-skid material along the inside of your hands means you don't have to worry about forks or knives slipping. And if something spills, these gloves are both water-resistant and machine washable.
One important way to be prepared for a date in this “new normal” is making sure you bring a few extra disposable face masks, explained Sullivan. “As we all continue to adjust to the lifestyle change, it’s a great idea to have some backup options,” said Sullivan, noting this will allow you to produce a fresh option if “they happened to forget or misplace theirs — it can happen by mistake and it’s best to come prepared.”
The brand claims these three-ply masks filter out roughly 98 percent of bacteria and 95 percent of particulate. Plus, they have a water-absorbing inner layer to help trap moisture that could lead to chapped lips and prevent a potentially embarrassing wet mark if your noise tends to run in the cold.
Like perfume or cologne, the hand sanitizer you pick can be an opportunity to incorporate a touch of your personality while combating COVID-19. In addition to not wanting to smell as sterile as a doctor’s office on a date, Turner noted you’re more likely to use a hand sanitizer more thoroughly if you find one with a scent you enjoy.
With 36 different spray and gel options ranging from beloved classics like Warm Vanilla Sugar and Cucumber Melon to seasonal scents including Sparkling Icicles and Twisted Peppermint, these travel-friendly sanitizers are made from 68-72 percent alcohol (meeting CDC guidelines regarding hand sanitizers).
Covid-19 aside, ‘tis the season of runny noses for those spending time out in the cold air. That’s what makes packs of tissues a date necessity for Turner. Having them handy and remembering to “always dispose of used tissues, wash hands or use sanitizer after blowing your nose or covering a cough or sneeze,” is a must for anyone venturing out this winter.
Whether you’re looking for slim packs that fit into purses, travel packs with a spark of personality or standard pocket packs of Kleenex, what matters most is that you have tissues handy in case you or your date needs them.
Turner recommended not only keeping travel sanitizing wipes with you but also making sure they’re alcohol-based for your disinfecting needs.
These multi-purpose wipes are 65 percent alcohol but also have a touch of aloe to help keep your hands from drying out. Whether you’re cleaning a restaurant's chair or sanitizing before and after a handshake, these fragrance-free wipes come in portable packs of 50 for on-the-go cleaning.
Once you set a date, there are a few “musts” to keep in mind, according to our experts.
Make sure you are both on the same page and feel a connection before even taking the next steps to meet in person, as safely as possible. And although you might not typically be the type to “kiss and tell,” now might be the time to at least have a frank talk before that smooch over dessert.
“The question of whether or not to kiss and when is always a complicated one, but especially now during a pandemic. Obviously, it's impossible to kiss, wear a mask and socially distance at the same time, so that brings added risk,” Turner explained. “Choosing whether or not to kiss or be intimate now means weighing out risks and benefits, having an open discussion between partners and being as safe as possible with the choices you make.”
Like experts advised us for our guide to buying face masks, choosing the right mask for you comes down to a few basics:
If it's a reusable mask, make sure that it's machine-washable and made from tightly-bond fabric. Given the colder weather, definitely don’t rely on just a fleece face mask or neck gaiter to both protect you from Covid-19 and keep you warm. These fleece coverings, without a proper mask underneath, can actually increase the likelihood of transmission, according to MarkAlain Déry, DO, MPH, an epidemiologist and medical director for infectious diseases at Access Health Louisiana.
“The thought is that when the droplet particles went through the fleece material, it may have made those droplet particles even smaller, potentially even creating aerosolized particles,” he said.
And keep your mask on. “I recommend wearing that mask as much as possible, except when you absolutely have to remove it — like when you are eating and drinking,” said Turner. Likewise, don’t share utensils — ask to have food split by the kitchen. “Not sharing food and handling the same serving utensils minimizes risk of spreading any virus,” said Turner.
Overall, Turner hopes daters ask a few key questions to ensure you are both on the same page about taking precautions before potentially exposing each other. “It’s not unlike some of the tough discussions you might have in the future about things like sexually transmitted infections,” she noted.
“Don’t be afraid to ask your date those harder-hitting pandemic-related questions,” added Sullivan. “Remind them how serious you are taking your own safety and establish an early foundation of mutual respect.” On that note, take your safety, and theirs, seriously: If you're not feeling well or have a fever, postpone your meetup.
Consider getting the flu shot first, too. Keep in mind that it may take up to two weeks for the flu shot to become effective. “This won't prevent transmission of Covid-19, but by decreasing rates of flu transmission — which we can do at this point — we free up resources needed for other illnesses like Covid-19 and help prevent spread of flu,” added Turner.
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