Dating in Place: Looking for a Companion During the Time of Pandemic – NBC 7 San Diego

After New York’s shelter in place guidelines were in place, Zahid took a 90-minute train ride, a car service and bottle of tequila to see a man she had connected with on social media.

For Zahid, who is originally from Pakistan and has lived through martial law, the severity of the virus took a while to sink in. In one case, Zahid said, a blast took place only minutes from where she attended school. 

“If you’re going through one crisis after another, nothing seems like a big deal anymore,” said Zahid, who asked that her full name be withheld to avoid harassment. “That’s pretty much how I was treating the pandemic. It was a coping mechanism that develops when your life is uncertain.” 

The COVID-19 pandemic’s social distancing restrictions have triggered a boom in online dating.

The
difference between the pandemic other crises Zahid experienced was this time
she was alone. 

“I certainly think that if I was with family, if I was living with friends or anything of that sort, I don’t think I would have gone out seeking,” she said. 

Before the crisis, Zahid was introduced to Ryan through a friend on social media. After several days of awkward exchanges on Instagram they met in person. They shared an evening in New York City at a dimly lit bar in Chinatown and after a beer and long make out session the two parted.

They
met again the next month, thrown together by the need for companionship during
a time of crisis. 

The novel coronavirus has claimed over
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