This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
On a fateful day in July 2020, Jerry, an emergency relief worker, attended a food distribution event in one of Nairobi's worst Covid-19 hit estates.
"I took all precautions that are humanly possible, had my mask on throughout, washed my hands frequently, and tried to keep social distance," Jerry explained.
However, his wife Jane was not convinced, saying, "What distance can you keep when crowds kept surging physically rubbing on you?"
As the couple's situation highlights, Covid-19 has raised important questions about intimacy and transmission. Can the virus be sexually transmitted?
Sex demands physical contact, making social distancing impossible. During sex, there is a natural tendency to kiss or breathe on each other's face, exchanging fluids from the mouth and nose. This increases the risk of transmission.
Studies have investigated whether Covid-19 is present in semen or vaginal fluids of those infected. While some studies identified the virus in semen, especially among the very sick, most failed to detect it in sexual fluids.
However, theoretically, it's possible that there may be a few cases where Covid-19 can be transmitted sexually.
Given the high percentage of asymptomatic cases (up to 80%), it's essential to view everyone around you as possibly infected and take necessary precautions.
Experts recommend that you should only have sex with a partner you live with and take precautions when outside the house to remain uninfected.
For those whose jobs pose a risk of infection or partners who live in different towns, self-isolation and testing before resuming intimacy are crucial.
As Jane said, "That is what I have been telling Jerry but he just won't listen."
For those looking for a partner, internet connectivity and mobile phones can be a godsend, allowing for video chatting and reducing the risk of infection.
When the time comes to go physical, a clear procedure should be followed, including a Covid-19 test before exposing yourself to each other.
