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Blogfinger medical report:    Paul Goldfinger, MD

The ability to easily obtain Covid-19 testing will be useful in many scenarios.  Since you don’t need to have symptoms or a prescription, you can go for a diagnostic test, for example,  if you are a college kid about to head home, if you are in a relationship where you are contemplating intimacy, if you think you were exposed, etc. etc.

Regarding the sexual aspects of all this, saliva is the main source of viral exposure.  Covid-19  virus has been found in semen, but there is no proof so far that the disease can be transmitted this way.

So if you are a male, you can be careful and place a mask, of sorts, on your hoo-ha.  It’s unclear if a  female can transmit the virus via vaginal secretions, but studies are ongoing.

As far as viral transmission via saliva, that is a risk, especially during close sexual contact

From the Mayo Clinic:

“All close contact (within 6 feet or 2 meters) with an infected person can expose you to the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — whether you’re engaged in sexual activity or not.

“The virus spreads by respiratory droplets released when someone with the virus coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can be inhaled or land in the mouth or nose of a person nearby. Coming into contact with a person’s spit through kissing or other sexual activities could expose you to the virus. People who have COVID-19 could also spread respiratory droplets onto their skin and personal belongings. A sexual partner could get the virus by touching these surfaces and then touching his or her mouth, nose or eyes.

In addition, the COVID-19 virus can spread through contact with feces. It’s possible that you could get the COVID-19 virus from sexual activities that expose you to fecal matter.

“There is currently no evidence that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted through semen or vaginal fluids, but the virus has been detected in the semen of people who have or are recovering from the virus. Further research is needed to determine if the COVID-19 virus could be transmitted sexually.

“However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that after you are fully vaccinated you can resume your normal activities. You are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after you get a second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or 2 weeks after you get a single dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.”

Harvard.edu recently says,   “If both of you are healthy and feeling well, are practicing social distancing and have had no known exposure to anyone with COVID-19, touching, hugging, kissing, and sex are more likely to be safe.”  But the key words are “more likely to be safe.”

But try to stick to partners who have been vaccinated. If not, Mayo says, “Be creative.”  

I say,  “Don’t take any chances.”  And, do not have sex with anyone who feels ill in any way. 

This virus can present with a wide variety of symptoms.

Be sure to ask a potential sex partner to show you their vaccine card. And if that isn’t a turn off, head out for pizza.

Avert.org says,  “There are lots of ways to have sexual pleasure without physical contact– try having fun with lone masturbation, sex toys, and phone or webcam sex.”    Really?   Try reading this to your next first date—ie plan ahead.  But don’t scare her with some bizarre object from the frat house.

I think there is room here for common sense or just plain will power—so good luck.    PG  Blogfinger.net

THE BEACH BOYS    “Heroes and Villains.”