I saw a cartoon recently which showed a man working at “home” on behalf of his company. He had his two kids duct-taped to the floor so not to interfere with his headway. The pandemic not only means a trend to work from home but will lead to city-folks deserting the cities, emptying out office buildings and freeing up properties for sale.
Also, as the world settles into a new routine of social distancing, the corona disaster means couples are likely to have a lot more free time at home to snuggle together and maybe lead to much more. There is speculation this intimacy could create a baby boom in nine months or so. Seniors are blessed however, as they can do the same without affecting a population. As for myself I have too many other distractions to indulge in hanky-panky.
The clubs and pubs are shut and tinder dates cancelled. One-night stands are practically illegal, but despite these obvious hurdles, Coronavirus has still created a sex industry sales boom.
Ann Summers, a sex toy retailer, has seen a 27 per cent increase in sales of sex toys compared to this time last year. Condom sales have practically doubled overnight. UK Meds, an online pharmacy, reported a spike in Viagra sales and a 23 per cent increase in orders of the “morning-after pill”.
In the past, enforced lockdowns have meant an increase in the birth rate. So could we be facing a baby boom at the end of the year? The London School of Economics reported, “A nationwide blackout in Colombia in the early 1990’s led to a slew of unplanned births. So if people being stuck at home in the dark caused more pregnancies, then being stuck at home in a lockdown could have a similar effect.”
As the COVID-19 crisis continues, the world may face a bigger issue when it comes to sex. Karex, the world’s largest producer of condoms, recently had to shut down its three factories in Malaysia for 10 days while waiting for government approval to continue running as an essential service. Even after allowed to continue operating, factories were only at 50 per cent capacity.
The lockdown could have wider effects on relationships with a rush of people getting married or divorced in the near future. With a possible 20 per cent unemployment rate, couples whose jobs are vulnerable are likely to think twice about any new parenting. Although some Canadians facing being alone with their significant other for the foreseeable future, marital discord is more likely than intimacy. Still, many are wondering if the lockdown will lead to a new generation of “coronials” or “baby Zoomers.”
Perhaps it’s all an urban myth propagated mostly by baby boomers who were born in the years after World War II when everyone came home and got busy again. Nevertheless, it’s fun for people to speculate about a baby boom in the midst of this pandemic. After all, what else do they have to do, stuck at home and bored? This question comes up every time we are under pressure, we tell themselves, “We’re all in this together.” Even when we’re not!
With this extra time during the day by not commuting or working, it’s only natural couples are using it to have sex, says Helen Fisher, senior research fellow at the Kinsey Research Institute, “Testosterone levels raise libidos, making an urge for even more sex. One reason so many people are turning to sex is not only they have the time, but it’s actually very good for them.” I discovered a copy of “Kinsey Report” stuffed in a secret drawer at home when I was a teen. It’s how I learned about sex. I hope they had it right!
Looking forward, at least in Westmeath, because of former locals returning in droves to work from home, I can vision the OLG school doubling its student count and the public school being reopened, just like the old days. Maybe there will be enough kids to fill all the rosters of the hockey divisions.
I expect rural regions will finally regain some esteem and all decisions won’t be made in Toronto.
