Post-Vaccine Dating

As vaccination fast becomes a reality, the question of How the COVID Vaccine Will Change Dating in 2021 is a topic of hot debate. The Knot asks experts, including myself, to weigh in with their opinions.

Excerpt:

When OkCupid asked their users if they'd be willing to get the vaccine, 70% of respondents answered yes on their profile—that group received 2.3 times more likes and 1.8 times more matches than those who answered no.

So, how does this translate into a new dating environment? 

"You can save a lot of time by specifying your boundaries up front," explains Indigo Stray Conger, LMFT, CST. "This will help you avoid wasting time with people who don't align with your values."

Not everyone will feel comfortable getting physical right away this year, especially if a potential partner isn't vaccinated. As long as the pandemic continues to pose health risks, many daters will use caution before becoming physically intimate with a partner. Because of this, there will continue to be a stronger focus on emotional connections, rather than physical touch. 

That's not to say the importance of physical intimacy will subside. In fact, it's one of the biggest reasons daters want to get vaccinated as soon as possible. "With the rollout of the vaccine, singles will likely be excited to return to wider freedoms in dating," says Conger. "While people may be wishing for emotional connection, 'skin hunger' has become a significant problem for isolated people. The vaccine may provide enough protection so that physical touch is far more accessible. More physical touch will create a boost in oxytocin and dopamine, which can potentially reduce the prevalence of anxiety and depression.”

In other words, daters may feel happier and more satisfied emotionally and physically thanks to the vaccine rollout.