PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Valentine's Day can already be a difficult holiday for those who are not in relationship. Dating during a global pandemic, however, adds a new layer of complication, according to some who are trying it.
In this new world, Ashley Oliver of North Philadelphia said a romantic date begins with a trip to a COVID-19 testing clinic.
"Go get a test, and then wait for the results, and then you all can go to dinner or whatever if the test results come back negative," she said.
But even getting to the point of being with another person can be a challenge.
"I haven't really met anybody new, just talking to people that I previously knew in the past," said James Tolan of Philadelphia. "I haven't been on Tinder in a while but I imagine it's not easier. It was never easy for me."
"I mean, I can't really go out and meet new people because you never know who got COVID," added Oliver, "so it's just not safe and it's very different."
Even if you do meet someone you like, Jamire from Philadelphia said, "There's not many things you can do. Especially at the moment. It's really cold, you're not going out to a park."
Oliver's brother Kevin isn't a fan of dating in the winter. "You can't say 'I love you' if you're shaking," he said. "'I l-l-l-love you.' Like I can't do that! It's hard!"
Asked what going out is like during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tolan said it's definitely cheaper, "because you can't really go to bars or anything like that. In the summer it was picnics. Now... you might be able to get a restaurant."
For Kevin Oliver, creativity is crucial when it comes to dating over distance.
"I can't come see you to have dinner? We're going to sit there and make the same thing," he shared. "You make it over your house, I'll make it over mine, we're going to FaceTime and have a dinner like that."
But with so much of our lives being led online, many wonder what happens to the physical aspect of dating.
"It gets hard because, what about the kissing? What about the hugging?" shared Ashley Oliver.
The virus has even changed what potential new couples might discuss. Tolan shared his conversation starters, saying, "I pretty much talk to them like, 'What have you been up to? Have you been going out? Have you been in close contact with people?"
But what if you're already coupled up? Jabbar Lewis of Philadelphia said the pandemic may help people come to quicker, yet more certain relationship decisions.
"In terms of relationships and getting married and those bigger plans," said Jabbar Lewis, "I think that if you're in it for the long haul, some of the setbacks that occur during coronavirus won't really have a huge impact."
But for some, once the pandemic is over, they still won't go back to their old ways of socializing.
"I think it's definitely going to be hard after the (coronavirus) outbreak, for me," said Ashley Oliver. "I don't think I'll be dating the same as I used to."