sex is an important part of many people's lives and it's not something that's just going to stop when there's a pandemic, nor should it as long as you are able to engage in sexual activity in low-risk ways. here are some tips on how to enjoy safer sex while reducing the risk of spreading covid-19. 

know how covid-19 spreads. the virus spreads through particles in the saliva, mucus or breath of people with covid-19, even from people who do not have symptoms. we still have a lot to learn about covid-19 and sex. the virus has been found in the semen and feces of people who have tested positive for covid-19. it is not entirely clear if covid-19 can be spread through vaginal or anal sex but there is evidence that other coronaviruses do not easily spread through sex. 

that being said- if you are having sex with someone, it is likely that you will be within six feet of each other and you will probably be kissing at the same time, and the virus is passed through saliva. essentially, any possibility of transfer of coronavirus - from your mouth to your hands, to genitals, to someone else's nose or mouth - increases the risk of passing on coronavirus 

you are your safest sex partner! take advantage of the chance to get (re)acquainted with your body and have some fun. remember to wash your hands & any toys with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 

the next safest partner is a consenting partner in your bubble. in ontario, you can establish a social bubble of no more than 10 people who can interact with one another without physical distancing. keep in mind that you can’t have multiple bubbles, so if you add someone outside your household, you have to include anyone in their household as well. 

if you are meeting someone new- there are a lot of ways to start and develop a relationship with technology. try watching the same movie or cooking the same meal and eating together over facetime. send voice notes instead of texts so you can hear each other. you can also take the next steps in your relationship virtually by sexting, or phone or online sex. if you do decide to meet up irl, any first dates should be two metres apart. whether it takes place indoors or outdoors will be up to the people on the date and their comfort levels.

do your own screening to protect yourself by asking potential partners about symptoms of infection or potential exposures. approach this conversation the same way you would talk about sexually transmitted diseases before being intimate with someone for the first time: it's a matter-of-fact conversation about your health and that of your potential partners. before getting physical with a partner, ask them:

• if they have, or have recently had, symptoms of covid-19 infection or are at high risk of being exposed to the virus or being a carrier. 

• do they have any cold or flu symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath)? have they travelled anywhere in the past 14 days?

• have they been exposed or in close contact with someone who tested positive for covid-19 or had symptoms?

• do they work in a profession that exposes them to individuals who may have covid-19 (eg: healthcare workers)?

this isn’t a one-time conversation, it is important to continue to ask these questions each time you plan on getting up close and physical with someone else.

skip sex if you or your partner are not feeling well, or have been in contact with someone with a confirmed case of covid-19. if you feel unwell, or even start to feel unwell, avoid kissing, sex or any close contact with others. follow public health recommendations for isolation & quarantine and contact the appropriate health care provider for the next steps. 

here are some other ways to lower the chances of being exposed to covid-19 during sex with others:

• consider keeping contact information for your partner(s) so that you can reach them if one of you develops symptoms.

• limit alcohol use and other substances so safer decisions can be made.

• before and after sex:

• wash your body with soap and water.

• wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• wash sex toys thoroughly per the manufacturer’s instructions. most, but not all, can be cleaned with mild unscented soap and water. do not share them with multiple partners.

• wear a face covering or mask. heavy breathing during sex can create more droplets that may transmit covid-19.

• avoid or limit kissing and saliva exchange.

• be creative with sexual positions and physical barriers, like walls, that allow sexual contact while preventing close face to face contact. 

• using condoms, lubricants, and dental dams may help to further reduce the chances by minimizing contact with saliva, semen, feces, blood and/or internal genitalia/vaginal fluids during sex.

don’t forget covid-19 is not the only infectious agent to think about, continue to use condoms to prevent transmission of sexually-transmitted infections and an effective method of birth control to prevent an unplanned pregnancy

although relationships and sex do present a risk during a pandemic, emotional and physical connections can be essential to your overall wellbeing. assess the risks of dating or having sex the same way you have assessed the risks of going to the grocery store. we should not downplay the importance of human connection because relationships are what help us stay mentally sane through these strange and challenging times.

lindsey wachter, r.kin

health and wellness promoter

balancing school and parenting is challenging at the best of times, but back to school season during a pandemic is a whole other level of stress. it’s normal to be anxious or feel stressed about how this year will go and while there may not be a perfect solution to excel as a student-parent in the current climate, here are some tips to help:

set a schedule. establishing some routines will help you and your children feel more settled. this could include early morning writing time, working during nap times, or studying after children have gone to bed. if your children are older, maybe everyone can have a regular quiet time for studying, reading, listening to music, watching a movie, etc. consider taking some time on the weekend to plan activities or crafts for small kids that will keep them busy for 30 minutes at a time during the week.

connect with other 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 with families. it can be hard for classmates without children to understand the struggles you are having. reach out to others in your courses or program who are juggling similar priorities right now. they might be able to share the challenges and successes they have had.

make a study space for yourself where you can leave all your work or school materials. pinterest has many suggestions on how to create a home office in unconventional spaces. studying and attending remote lectures will be easier if you don’t have to pack and unpack your computer and books every time.

if you are parenting with a partner, plan how you will share responsibilities so that you have time to dedicate to your schoolwork. if your children are older, discuss how they can help around the house too. kids may be more committed to a plan that they help make. the plan will look different for every family, but having those conversations sooner than later can be helpful.

if parenting alone, communication is still important. if your kids are old enough, talk to them about how they can help you by giving you some quiet time when you need it. reassure them that you will spend time with them after you complete your work. for younger kids, squeeze in your own school work during naps or find age-appropriate activities that allow you to work for short periods of time. be patient- you might not find the right tactic right away and it might take a while to figure out what works best for you and your kids.

do your best to create and assert healthy boundaries. while this may not always be possible with children who are younger or have complex needs, do what you can to create boundaries where you can. explore creative solutions to help carve out time for yourself- not just for school work but also to exercise, get outside or to do something you enjoy, remember that self-care isn’t selfish.

don’t forget this is stressful for your children too. going back to school is a big change for them as well but there are a lot of resources available to help them deal with the transition:

• study.com- how to manage back-to-school stress during the coronavirus

• study.com- helping your child with back to school anxiety during coronavirus

• cheo- back to school during covid-19: tips for parents and caregivers 

• psychology foundation of canada-covid-19: resources to build our children’s resilience

• school mental health ontario- supporting mental health and wellness during the return to school: tips for parents and families

give yourself a break. even if you follow all these tips, there will probably be some days where you feel burnt out and overwhelmed. while you may try your best to not take your frustrations out on your children, there may be times where you lose your temper or raise your voice. although you may be using the weekend to study or get work done, don’t forget to also plan some family time to enjoy each other’s company. at the end of the day, remember: you love each other and you’re all on the same team.

know that you are not alone. there are many 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 , staff and faculty who are experiencing the same challenges. if you are feeling distressed or overwhelmed, remember that you have support available to you.

-lindsey wacher, r.kin, msc, health and wellness promoter

we’re happy to announce the launch of a new podcast created in partnership with compass north! 

each episode of wellu podcast will give an in-depth look at a health and wellness topic relevant to lakehead 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 by a compass north student member. 

the first episode addresses "virtual burnout"- something we have probably all experienced in the past few months with more and more of our lives happening online. 3rd-year medical student felicia lotsios breaks down what virtual burnout is and what you can do to help deal with it. check it out on spotify- https://cutt.ly/wellupod