Coronavirus and sex: Is the sexual life of Greeks affected?

Thanos Askitis answers the questions of newsbeast.gr

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Habits change even in their sex life the Greeks because coronavirus; THE epidemic does it bring them closer or take them away? The abstention from sex can it be considered a preventive measure? Global concern about the deadly virus has grown and many questions remain unanswered. One of them is clearly "how safe it is to have an active sex life while we are sick or if and to what extent we are at risk of getting the virus more easily through sexual intercourse." The psychiatrist - neurologist Thanos Askitis, President of the Institute of Mental and Sexual Health and the Hellenic Society for Mental & Sexual Health Education gives answers to all these "hot" questions of the day.

We know that the new strain of coronavirus is transmitted from person to person with droplets from coughing or sneezing and symptoms appear - if they occur - usually within two to five days of infection, it sticks when two people come closer  According to World Health Organization estimates, each patient catches 1,4 - 2,5 other people (compared to seasonal flu, each patient catches an average of 1,3 other people).

The coronavirus already seems to have "killed" a habit whose history dates back to ancient times, the handshake between people, the move that Homer described as a show of confidence. In many countries of the world where coronavirus cases are increasing daily, experts and governments are asking citizens to stay away from each other, to stop kissing, shaking hands and more generally the movements that can transmit the virus to them.

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For example in Beijing, the capital of the country where the virus first appeared, red signs inform citizens not to exchange handshakes. Loudspeakers call on the citizens to greet with the traditional gesture (gong shou) with which they put their fist in the opposite palm. French newspapers are full of advice calling on citizens to replace the kiss on the cheek - a daily greeting for them French, even for people who have just met - by shaking hands. The Brazilian Ministry of Health has suggested that citizens do not share the metal straws used to consume a traditional drink in Latin America, the mate, also known as chimarrao. In the meantime, a kiss - even if it is not in the mouth - is now forbidden with a bat as a greeting. Finally, in Germany, the Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer set the example when he refused to shake hands with Chancellor Angela Merkel. The two laughed and Merkel raised her hand before sitting down.

But will the coronavirus "kill" sex?

Sexologist Thanos Askitis reports to newsbeast.gr how "For the time being it is too early to say that the sexual life of the Greeks has been substantially affected by the coronavirus as there are no official data" and explains "in two months to three months we will have a clear picture" while at the same time he states that even if the virus clearly transmitted by close human contact should not make us alienate from our other half. "Of course we have to follow the rules of hygiene and take care of ourselves," he emphasizes.

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- Are Greeks worried about their sexual intercourse due to the outbreak of the coronavirus? What are the most frequently asked questions?

In the contact line that we have as an institute for the public and receives 20 to 30 calls daily, there are people who ask about the coronavirus. We see more people asking questions than people who have multiple partners and not a stable relationship. They ask if they are at risk of getting stuck if they have sex and what attitude reduces the risk of transmitting the virus. At the same time, they express their fear about how they will be able to ensure if they will have medical care, ie if the state is able to provide them with the necessary things. Those who need to secure their precaution are mainly those who have extramarital affairs and close the open issues they have so as not to endanger others.

- Can the virus bring a couple closer or can it separate them?

Companionship is a constant test. Those who become infected will be tested even at the relationship level. The virus should not take us away from our partner. We need to understand that our home is our best friend and "quarantine" may be an opportunity to revisit our relationship with the person we have chosen to have next to us. There are studies that show that the flu is a period of relaxation for the person who is ill and the fever causes exhaustion and at the same time calm. So coronavirus is an opportunity not only to get closer but also to feel warmer with our partner. After all, sexuality and companionship are the two "S" that make up our lives.

She was wise the decision to close schools. It is more dangerous for the virus to spread to places where many people, especially children, are. Apart from the non-spread of the virus, the family and the couple will come closer due to the closure of the schools. The coronavirus gives us as a gift the opportunity to see our relationship and our family. To see each other more, to spend time together and hug, to sit together, to drink tea.shutterstock 1275793153 sex, COUPLES, Thanos Askitis, coronavirus, coronavirus, sex life, RELATIONSHIP

- Do you think that a couple should reduce their contact or even sleep separately?

Under no circumstances should the couple's daily life be affected. They should neither sleep alone nor hug. The relationship should not be strained but should be the bridge for people to come closer as the feeling of companionship is important. Most of us will pass the virus but we will be able to recover quickly. We may still get sick and not understand it or even go through the epidemic without being affected at all with very mild symptoms such as a simple cold.

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- What is your forecast for the next period? What will happen;

We may be asked to stay at home for up to two months until the virus is weakened and 15 to 20% of the population of our country will be infected. We will be called to live limited even with less food if we think that we will all rush to get the necessities and it will not be possible to even leave the house. However, this situation should not discourage us as we will be able to deal with it.

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