Spike: Low impact, but many changes...
Introduction:
Spike is a 53 year-old homo-flexible American male with Polish and German ancestry. For Spike, the Covid-19 pandemic has been, “low impact.” He is a creative designer who works from home in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and says that he had already been somewhat accustomed to social distancing. The pandemic surely worries him, however. Thankfully, within his small social bubble, all is well. Spike's sex life has changed in several key ways, frequency being (perhaps) chief amongst them. When asked by how much the frequency had changed, Spike replied that his sexual encounters have been reduced by approximately 75%. The locations of his encounters have also changed. Most are now outdoors, primarily in his large and private backyard. When interactions move indoors, Spike now takes precautions. Masks are worn by all involved. With exceptions, he seeks out sexual partners through online platforms, and he has changed his online profile to explicitly state the precautions he takes for safety. However, he notes in his interview that , “I would say that a lot of [online] behaviors have not changed,” at least not as much as he would have anticipated. Bearing that out, Spike says that he is usually the first person to bring up the Covid-19 pandemic while chatting online.
Notable Quotes:
WHAT IS YOUR SEXUAL IDENTITY?
"I consider myself to be homo-flexible, or bisexual with a gay preference."
HOW HAS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AFFECTED YOUR SEX LIFE?
"It certainly has impacted it. In general, I've locked everything down and kept my social interactions very very minimal. So, I would have to say that in general, the number has diminished quite a bit, and I've taken precautions when I do have interactions, but relatively, much less than previously."
IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID-19, HAVE ONLINE PLATFORMS FOR MEETING PEOPLE CHANGED?
"Not as much as I would hope or anticipated myself. I think not many people talk about it. I'm always the first one to bring it up."
WHAT OUTDOOR SPACES DO YOU UTILIZE FOR YOUR ENCOUNTERS?
"I have a rather large backyard and has privacy, which I make sure of. So, my backyard, primarily."
HOW MUCH LESS FREQUENTLY HAVE YOU BEEN HAVING SEXUAL ENCOUNTERS?
"I guess, in a percentage wise, I would have to say it's cut down to a quarter, perhaps, of what I would have done prior, if not more. So, I mean I'm saying it's cut down 75%."