No question too personal
I was very pleased to hear that the New York Times staff and others are publishing very detailed information about the risk of transmitting or contacting Covid-19 while engaging in sexual activity with another person. Obviously, with many people being ordered to stay at home most of the time there is more opportunity to connect sexually unless, of course, the children insist that one be constantly available. It is important that accurate, medical information be available to help couples make decisions. Of course, it is especially important for those teenagers who somehow are still managing to enjoy each other’s company in real time. Although one might think that is not recommended or possible there are teenagers who going to be spending time together. It is not just teenagers who may be hesitant to ask about safe sexual practices. Sadly, we are a culture which, on the whole, finds it difficult to talk about sex unless we are doing so in social settings – frequently in a joking manner. Studies have shown that even medical personnel – physicians and counselors – have difficulty having frank, detailed conversations about sexual practices with their patients/clients. Many of us are too shy to discuss sexual details with our partner.
One of the chief issues is the fact frequent in home testing is not possible; one might be an asymptomatic carrier, and there is even the possibility that one could transmit the disease after one’s symptoms are gone. Like many other diseases it is sneaky, baffling, and conniving . We must educate ourselves and we must be able to discuss concerns and potential risks. We know, for example, that kissing is very problematic since the virus can easily be transmitted through salvia.
The larger issue is, of course, that couples, families and all other friends have to make it safe to discuss any issues which potentially affects any aspect of a relationship. Sadly, sex is not the only issue which one may be hesitant to discuss. Finances may be more sensitive than sex. There may be those who need financial help who are too shy or embarrassed to ask. There also may be those who have debt the details of which are embarrassing to share.
Some family members may be hesitant to share their desire to keep all others out of the house for the duration of the danger. Sometimes their hesitancy to initiate a discussion leads to an announcement or pronouncement which then leads to other issues.
A general family discussion about making it safe for anyone in the family to ask any question or express any concern might be very helpful. I highly recommend it. For those of us who are counselors/therapists and other medical personnel I suggest we ask our patients/clients what we can do to make it easier/safer to express concerns or to ask sensitive questions.
Written April 1, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett, LPC, AADC
coachpickett.org
I was very pleased to hear that the New York Times staff and others are publishing very detailed information about the risk of transmitting or contacting Covid-19 while engaging in sexual activity with another person. Obviously, with many people being ordered to stay at home most of the time there is more opportunity to connect sexually unless, of course, the children insist that one be constantly available. It is important that accurate, medical information be available to help couples make decisions. Of course, it is especially important for those teenagers who somehow are still managing to enjoy each other’s company in real time. Although one might think that is not recommended or possible there are teenagers who going to be spending time together. It is not just teenagers who may be hesitant to ask about safe sexual practices. Sadly, we are a culture which, on the whole, finds it difficult to talk about sex unless we are doing so in social settings – frequently in a joking manner. Studies have shown that even medical personnel – physicians and counselors – have difficulty having frank, detailed conversations about sexual practices with their patients/clients. Many of us are too shy to discuss sexual details with our partner.
One of the chief issues is the fact frequent in home testing is not possible; one might be an asymptomatic carrier, and there is even the possibility that one could transmit the disease after one’s symptoms are gone. Like many other diseases it is sneaky, baffling, and conniving . We must educate ourselves and we must be able to discuss concerns and potential risks. We know, for example, that kissing is very problematic since the virus can easily be transmitted through salvia.
The larger issue is, of course, that couples, families and all other friends have to make it safe to discuss any issues which potentially affects any aspect of a relationship. Sadly, sex is not the only issue which one may be hesitant to discuss. Finances may be more sensitive than sex. There may be those who need financial help who are too shy or embarrassed to ask. There also may be those who have debt the details of which are embarrassing to share.
Some family members may be hesitant to share their desire to keep all others out of the house for the duration of the danger. Sometimes their hesitancy to initiate a discussion leads to an announcement or pronouncement which then leads to other issues.
A general family discussion about making it safe for anyone in the family to ask any question or express any concern might be very helpful. I highly recommend it. For those of us who are counselors/therapists and other medical personnel I suggest we ask our patients/clients what we can do to make it easier/safer to express concerns or to ask sensitive questions.
Written April 1, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett, LPC, AADC
coachpickett.org
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