Video calls, longer conversations: Dating in the time of coronavirus
Dating sites are discouraging dates and asking users to get to know each other virtually instead.
By AFP |
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The dating site Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) is proposing several different ideas for remote interactions, including an online video game date. (Representative image)
NEW YORK: With governments clamping down on social interactions to contain the coronavirus spread, dating sites are discouraging dates and asking users to get to know each other virtually instead.
"We don't know who needs to hear this, but now is NOT the time to go out with your date to a bar," leading match-maker OkCupid tweeted on Monday.
"FaceTime, Skype, call, text, call, message on our app.... all very romantic right now," it added.
We don’t know who needs to hear this, but now is NOT the time to go out with your date to a bar. FaceTime, Skype, c… https://t.co/lSTf0M4E8S
Dating sites contacted by AFP refused to divulge their traffic since Covid-19 starting shutting down US cities this week but it appears their usage is far from slowing.
Even if some academics would like them to suspend their activities entirely.
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"It's time to shut down Tinder and all online dating services," tweeted US writer Matt Stoller.
"No more internet-enabled interactions among random people until the #coronavirus crisis has passed," he added.
It's time to shut down Tinder and all online dating services. No more internet-enabled interactions among random pe… https://t.co/Y2kNfq2mZF
— Matt Stoller (@matthewstoller) 1584455673000
Joking about the coronavirus has become popular on dating sites, although not necessarily effective at endearing matches to each other.
"If someone seems like they're not taking the crisis seriously or they're making fun of it for me personally that's a turnoff," said comedian and author Lane Moore.
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She helped created the show 'Tinder Live', in which she interacts with matches in real time, and thinks coronavirus could be an "opportunity" for people to bond.
"I'm talking to a guy right now who I met on Tinder Live and we're both talking about how this coronavirus COVID-19 stuff is impacting our lives so that can be a good way to know somebody," she said.
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Moore, from New York, says many of the men she meets on Tinder want to cut the conversation short and jump straight to meeting in the flesh.
She thinks it's a good thing that now men are being forced to chat more first.
"That's something that women have always wanted because it's an opportunity to meet someone you like the first time but also try to make sure that they're safe," Moore explained.
The dating site Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) is proposing several different ideas for remote interactions, including an online video game date.
"This is going to be important for us to think outside the box in crazy times like this," said CEO Dawoon Kang.
CMB is also organising an online group discussion, which it has never done before.
Yale University student Ileana Valdez and five friends spent just a few hours setting up a dating site for students whose classes have been canceled and campuses are deserted.
The site, OKZoomer, a nod to the popular expression "Ok boomer" which millennials use to refer to older people, picked up 6,500 users in less than a week, according to Valdez.
"Social distancing allows us to focus on conversations and building up existing and new relationships," the computer science student told AFP via email.
She feels that the big dating apps are focused on "hookups," and argues that OKZoomer sets the ground for "meaningful relationships." For example OKZoomer's algorithm does not prioritize proximity, unlike most major dating sites.
Other sites are emerging too, such as 'Quarantine Together', whose slogan is "Get close even when you can't be close." Moore, the comedian, isn't convinced that the new coronavirus will spark a dating revolution though.
"I can imagine that once all of this settles down the men who don't really want to be having a conversation will probably go back to one-word answers."
From Boris Johnson, Karim Sisters To Bond Girl Olga, And Andy Cohen: Celebs Who Tested Positive For Covid-19
1/19
The coronavirus outbreak has brought the world to a standstill. With deserted streets, empty parks and most of the people self-quarantined, it seems that the planet is taking a break. In many ways, COVID-19 has been a great leveller of sorts. Be it the rich, the poor or even the famous, the virus has affected people from all walks of life and spared none.
Ever since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, several celebrities - actors, singers and politicians - across the world have been diagnosed with the infectious disease. Many of them took to social media to share updates about their health with fans.
We have prepared a comprehensive list of all the famous personalities who have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus.
The coronavirus outbreak has brought the world to a standstill. With deserted streets, empty parks and most of the people self-quarantined, it seems that the planet is taking a break. In many ways, C..
Read More
On Monday, 'Chennai Express' producer Karim Morani's daughter, Shaza Morani had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. As per reports, Shaza had returned from Australia before the city announced lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Only a day after Shaza testing positive, her actor-sister Zoa also tested positive, according to family sources. Shaza, who had returned from Sri Lanka in the first week of March, showed no symptoms but was admitted to Nanavati Hospital.
According to sources, Zoa, who had returned from Rajasthan around mid-March, tested positive for Covid-19.
(With inputs from PTI)
On Monday, 'Chennai Express' producer Karim Morani's daughter, Shaza Morani had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. As per reports, Shaza had returned from Australia before the city announced ..
Read More
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tested positive for coronavirus on March 27.
"Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus," Johnson said. "I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus."
Johnson, 55, was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital across the River Thames from the House of Commons late on Sunday after suffering persistent coronavirus symptoms, including a high temperature and a cough, for more than 10 days.
His condition rapidly deteriorated over the next 24 hours, and he was moved to an intensive care unit - where the most serious cases are treated. Although he had received oxygen, his office said he was still conscious.
(With inputs from Reuters)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tested positive for coronavirus on March 27."Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus," Johnson said. "I am now s..
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The ‘Forrest Gump’ actor was the first Hollywood A-lister to come out in the open and share his diagnoses with the world. The 63-year-old Hanks, who has Type 2 diabetes,, took to Instagram last Wednesday to share that he and his wife Rita Wilson had tested positive for the contagious disease while shooting for an Elvis Presley film in Australia.
"We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches," Hanks wrote. "Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too. To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the Coronavirus, and were found to be positive”, he added.
The announcement sent shockwaves through social media and several fans expressed their concerns over the well-being of the actor.
Late Monday night their son Chet confirmed Hanks and Wilson left the hospital five days after they were admitted. The actor recently shared a photo of a corona typewriter on Instagram on Tuesday and said his symptoms have remained stable.
The ‘Forrest Gump’ actor was the first Hollywood A-lister to come out in the open and share his diagnoses with the world. The 63-year-old Hanks, who has Type 2 diabetes,, took to Instagram last Wedne..
Read More
Right after Tom Hanks’s self-isolation news, it was revealed that actor Idris Elba, too, was on the Covid-19 radar. The ‘Luther’ actor shared that he, too, had tested positive. For the unversed, Elba is known for his roles in HBO series ‘The Wire’ and is also a well-known DJ, rapper and singer.
The high-profile celebrity tested positive for the virus on Tuesday. Elba tweeted that he had no symptoms so far and has been isolated since Friday when he found out about his possible exposure. He says he sought out the test after discovering he had come into contact with someone who had been diagnosed with the virus.
Elba’s announcement was also followed by a furor on social media, with fans expressing concerns for the well-being of the English actor.
Right after Tom Hanks’s self-isolation news, it was revealed that actor Idris Elba, too, was on the Covid-19 radar. The ‘Luther’ actor shared that he, too, had tested positive. For the unversed, Elba..
Read More
It seems like winter (the metaphorical one) has come for the ‘Game of Thrones’ star Kristofer Hivju as he has tested positive for the coronavirus. Hours after Elba’s announcement, Hivju, who is known for playing the role of Tormund Giantsbane on the hit show, took to Instagram to share the rather sad news with his fans.
Hivju told his fans that he is currently in Norway and is self-isolating. Talking about his symptoms, he wrote, "We are in good health - I only have mild symptoms of a cold."
"There are people at higher risk for who this virus might be a devastating diagnosis, so I urge all of you to be extremely careful; wash your hands, keep 1.5 meters distance from others, go in quarantine; just do everything you can to stop the virus from spreading."
Several fans sent their thoughts and prayers, hoping for Hivju’s speedy recovery.
It seems like winter (the metaphorical one) has come for the ‘Game of Thrones’ star Kristofer Hivju as he has tested positive for the coronavirus. Hours after Elba’s announcement, Hivju, who is known..
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‘Frozen 2’ actor Rachel Matthews, who voices Honey Maren in the 2019 Disney animated film, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The actor told her Instagram followers that she has been in quarantine for the past week.
"Hey guys, I tested positive for COVID-19 and have been in quarantine since last week. Unsure of what the next step is (been getting mixed info so will keep you posted) but obviously will remain in quarantine until told to do otherwise. I'm feeling better but I will be posting some info that I hope will be helpful to some."
The 26-year-old, however, took the opportunity to spread awareness about the disease and shared a list of her symptoms.
‘Frozen 2’ actor Rachel Matthews, who voices Honey Maren in the 2019 Disney animated film, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The actor told her Instagram followers that she has been in q..
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Former television host, philanthropist and wife of the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau tested positive for COVID-19. She was one of the first people from the world of politics to contract the deadly disease.
The announcement of her testing came only a few days after her trip to London where she had posed for pictures with celebrities like Idris Elba and Lewis Hamilton. Sophie had attended WE Day 2020 at London on March 4. Once she was back in Canada, she developed symptoms that included a fever and mild flu.
Sophie’s diagnosis was particularly concerning, because at the event, she had spoken to some 18,000 young people on the stage and had contact with several of the event’s high-profile speakers.
Following the announcement, the PM announced that he had decided to self isolate for 14 days and would be running the country while working from home.
Former television host, philanthropist and wife of the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau tested positive for COVID-19. She was one of the first people from the world of ..
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Much like our beloved actors and politicians, sportstars, too, were hit by the pandemic. NBA Basketball player Kevin Durant, who plays for the Brooklyn Nets, is one of the four Nets players who has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Only one player has shown symptoms while the other three are asymptomatic. All four players are currently isolated and under the care of team physicians, according to a statement from the team.
Much like our beloved actors and politicians, sportstars, too, were hit by the pandemic. NBA Basketball player Kevin Durant, who plays for the Brooklyn Nets, is one of the four Nets players who has t..
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Iraj Harirchi, the head of the Iranian counter-coronavirus taskforce, found himself at the receiving end when he was diagnosed with COVID-19 after allegedly downplaying the severity of the outbreak. The Iranian politician had strongly denied the possibilities of a ‘cover-up’ by the authorities.
Not just Harirchi, but several other Iranian officials, too, have tested positive and have been isolated. At least two are also feared to have died due to the virus.
Iraj Harirchi, the head of the Iranian counter-coronavirus taskforce, found himself at the receiving end when he was diagnosed with COVID-19 after allegedly downplaying the severity of the outbreak. ..
