Love in the Time of Plague – How to Dating in a Pandemic?

For single_singles, the pandemic is an exceptionally difficult time. During the lockdown, the number of single people among my friends increased. I started to wonder: how do they date? where do they go on their first date? do they wear a mask throughout the meeting, and seeing the other person's face is already another base?

I have collected the experiences of my single_single friends and I present them in this article. I feel as if this text is meant to be a diary from these strange times.

How has the pandemic affected dating?

Dating apps have seen a surge in downloads over the past two years. Lockdown has brought singles to their phones – Tinder alone has seen a 30% increase in activity.

Tinder is the king of apps

For many of us, dating has moved to Tinder over the past two years. It’s the simplest and easiest way to meet someone. Let’s be honest, the possibility of unexpectedly meeting your future crush in a café, bar or bus has drastically decreased during lockdown. We have to grab what’s left – and so we swipe left and right en masse.

Tinder wants to help with pandemic dating, so it has enriched the application with a video call (available in some countries). Facebook is not lagging behind - it has launched its online dating platform, Facebook Dating.

Maybe you use other apps to meet new people or prefer offline meetings? The rest of the text may also be useful to you.

First (video) date

A first date in a tracksuit and no stress about running out of time? Thank you, pandemic!

You've met an interesting person, the conversation is ongoing and seems endless, so you decide to take it a step further. You arrange a first date, which, due to the current situation, will take the form of a video call .

The pandemic has taught us to wash our hands thoroughly and ensure good lighting when talking to cams . Of course, it would be best if the first video date took place in daylight. Video chat veterans emphasize: make sure you have the best lighting possible, especially when meeting in the evening. To properly illuminate your face, place a lamp in front of the phone and turn on the light behind you.

What can you do on a video date? Talk! About interests, favorite movie or hobby. Not much has changed here. ;)

The good thing about video dating is that when you don’t feel comfortable, you can just hang up. Maintaining your boundaries, even digital ones, is very important! As a reminder, when you get pictures of body parts you don’t want to see – don’t hesitate to block the person who is doing something you don’t like.

Virtual Dating - Timetable

It worked! The first meeting turned out to be great - you met a real person, and the conversation was agile and light. You've planned another virtual date, and everything indicates that there will be more.

What can you do on an online date? The same as always, but in a different way:

• Watch a movie or memes via screen sharing.
• A romantic dinner at a distance is possible! You can cook the same recipe or order food from a restaurant, but don't reveal what it will be beforehand.
• Download the quiz app and test your knowledge.
• Have a drink or coffee together from a distance.
• Explore the world together through Google Maps.

Traditional date during pandemic

In a few days, you'll meet someone you met on a dating app. What to look for when dating with a pandemic in the background?

• See if you share similar views on the virus, wearing masks and washing your hands. No matter which side you're on - if you disagree on this issue, you may be in for a tiring debate on vaccines.
• Before the meeting, ask how the person you're meeting is feeling. Do they have a runny nose, cough, or a high temperature?
• Decide whether you will wear masks or not. If you feel uncomfortable with the other person's opinion, signal it - your health is more important than a date .

Phew, you agree about the masks and you are healthy. However, another question arises: where to go on a date during the pandemic? Walking seems the safest to me, because it is easy to keep your distance. You can take a coffee to go and walk the city streets. The cinema or a museum are also good ideas, but remember to wear a mask. When the weather is not cooperating or your belly is asking for provisions, choose a restaurant that allows you to keep a distance of 2 meters.

Do you feel like the distance between you is closing? Ideally, you should get a COVID test before kissing or having sex . If you're sure you're both healthy, cut each other some slack.

How to live dating during the virus?

Everyday life during a pandemic is a bit like being on a space station: we are alone in the same environment, we have supplies for a few days, and we only see another face on a screen.

Living in isolation is difficult and has many limitations. On the one hand, it is worth remembering that health is more important than a moderately successful date, but on the other hand, we should not live in constant fear of another person.

C. Coleman, Dating in a pandemic: First Dates' Cici's top tips , https://www.bbc.com/news/av/newsbeat-55007443 [accessed on March 21, 2022].
G. Kubera, Tinder: dating during the pandemic even more popular , https://mycompanypolska.pl/artykul/tinder-randkowanie-w-czasie-pandemii/6766 [accessed 21/03/2022].
BY Lee, For Valentine's Day, Here Are New Covid-19 Pandemic Dating Terms , https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2022/02/13/for-valentines-day-here-are-some-new-covid-19-pandemic-dating-terms/?sh=16e344cb7af4 [accessed on March 21, 2022].
Tinder's CEO reveals in an interview with the BBC how the pandemic has changed the approach to online dating , "Polska Agencja Prasowa", https://www.pap.pl/aktualnosci/news%2C898442%2Cszef-tindera-zdradza-w-rozmowie-z-bbc-jak-pandemia-zmienila-podejscie-do [accessed 21/03/2022].