CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
Unlucky in-love Australians are being urged to take extra caution in their dating app exploits, following the outbreak of Coronavirus, which can be contracted by simply grazing someones hand during a first date at a moderately priced Mexican restaurant.
In response to the pandemic, prominent dating apps are providing quarantined zones for unfamiliar suitors, until they have clarification that their love interest is uninfected.
This follows grave warnings from the World Health Organisation who believe the threat of a global coronavirus pandemic “has become very real”, Australian governments have cautioned they may struggle to keep services running if the health crisis becomes acute because our government has made a habit for not being prepared for any form of national emergency
Infections globally have passed 110,000, but the vast majority – 93% – are in just four countries: China, South Korea, Iran, and Italy – countries that aren’t well known for reporting accurate data about its own citizens.
In Australia, 100 people have been confirmed with cases of COVID-19. Three people have died from the virus in the last month, which is six less people than the number of women killed at home by their partners in the last month – but somehow much more newsworthy.
NSW is the most affected state, with 55 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
As numbers grow, large events involving crowds are being cancelled each day.
From Coachella to Dark Mofo, the Geneva Motor Convention and the upcoming democratic primary debate – crowds are being minimised where possible – the same goes for unnecessary contact with strangers.
It is for this reason that dating app Bumble has built pop-up dating booths in metropolitan centres across the country.
The booths offer singles protection from COVID-19 bacteria through a prison style glass screen, with a phone-line.
“It’s great” says one Bumble user, Katie.
“It’s just like a normal date, but we don’t have any contact with each other.”
“It reminds me of the last 3 to 4 months of date nights I had with my ex-boyfriend Tyson, before he got sentenced.
Competitor Tinder has also set up a 15 kilometre length of glass wall along the St Kilda foreshore, so that couples can enjoy a long walk on the beach without accidentally making contact with one another.
