The BC Centre for Disease Control has released a number of safe sex tips in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has some rather surprising suggestions.
For one, the centre notes that the positions best suited for sex during the pandemic are those with "minimal face-to-face contact." They also note that it is best to use barriers when possible.
And what exactly constitutes a barrier?
Walls, such as glory holes, that allow for sexual contact but prevent close face-to-face contact.
And while glory holes may seem like a reasonable way to prevent transmission of the virus, the suggestion made quite a splash on social media. In fact, the search term "glory holes" was trending on Twitter Canada last night, dropping jaws across the country and around the globe.
Proud to be Canadian🇨🇦#gloryholes pic.twitter.com/I0Sq2jcSVD
— 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐟 (@KeefLynch) July 22, 2020
My favourite part of Canada's Covid response is our government officially recommends using glory holes for sex 👍 pic.twitter.com/XsyJJgxhFS
— Kierenshep🐾 (@KierenShep) July 20, 2020
I take back everything I ever said about 2020. Whatever timeline was required to lead us to this point, the point where a Provincial Government tells it's citizens to fuck through walls, is where we're supposed to be. 🇨🇦#Canada #gloryholes pic.twitter.com/lbGjkizkgK
— Cute/slight points/waste of time- Shannon Q (@Shann_Q0) July 22, 2020
TMZ also wrote an article about the BCCDC's latest safe-sex advice, noting that New York City also suggested intercourse through walls in June. That said, the article highlights that the city, "did not outright call them glory holes … sorry, NYC, Canada is holier than thou!"I never thought I’d live to see the day where a government webpage is suggesting the use of glory holes pic.twitter.com/RU0FfYBsCw
— Kaitlyn Guillemaud (@kaitguilly) July 22, 2020
Canadian CDC Suggests Glory Holes For Safe Sex During Pandemic https://t.co/prE1odwtTx
— TMZ (@TMZ) July 22, 2020The news has also reached the Vice President of YouPorn, Charlie Hughes, who has stated that the company will offer a $100,000 grant to support the construction of glory holes B.C.-wide.
Now this is how you do timely, rapid response PR:
— Bethany Lindsay (@bethanylindsay) July 22, 2020
"Today at YouPorn, we sent a letter to Honorable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health of British Columbia, for a $100K grant to support the building of glory holes across the province, further promoting 'socially distant' safe sex." pic.twitter.com/YrpbFhVKCy
The BCCDC also recommends washing your body with soap and water before and after sex, and not sharing toys with partners. Wearing a mask during sex can also help, and there are a wide variety of ones to choose from.
Keeping your number of sexual partners low is key, as is communication with your partner(s) about the precautions you and your partner are taking to stay safe.
But when it comes down to it, the BCCDC says you are your safest sex partner, and masturbation will not spread COVID-19.
With files from Nicholas Johansen / Castanet.
