9 date night ideas during the coronavirus pandemic

His date outings have included a rodeo, batting cages, golfing and other experiences where you can “laugh and tease each other.” "Restaurants are OK, but the mask thing really takes the

intimacy out of it,” he says. “I did the restaurant thing a couple of times but the chemistry wasn't there.” ZOOM WITH A PLAN You may be sick of Zooming or Facetiming, but a virtual

date eliminates the risk of virus transmission and allows you to gauge whether you'd want to meet face-to-face in the future. Nancy Shenker, 65, of Scottsdale, Arizona, has embraced

virtual dating options. It's allowed her to easily date people outside her own city, removing geography from the equation. Second, she sees herself as a tech-savvy individual, and is

hoping to find a partner who is as well. "If a guy can't figure out how to use his phone or camera, that's a bit of a red flag,” she says. A virtual connection also gives

Shenker more information about her potential suitor, allowing a glimpse into his home, a place she'd likely never go on a first date. But don't think you have to stick to a basic

and boring conversation. Try out these Zoom date ideas for a more creative take on virtual meetups. 7. A BOTTLE OF WINE AND SOME OLDIES So many first dates include great music and a special

beverage. Lisa Concepcion, a love-life strategist and a dating and relationship expert in Miami Beach, worked with a client whose first date involved playing favorite throwback songs from

teen years and (separate) bottles of wine. “They even broke out into a dance party,” Concepcion says. “All of this happened online as a first date." Another client, over several Zoom

meetings, sent his date deliveries from her favorite restaurants, and then shared the meal virtually. Diane Solomon, 62, has dated online and in person during the pandemic in Portland,

Oregon. She recommends cooking the same meal together on Zoom or bringing your favorite beverage to a virtual meeting. "I could talk about green tea for a while,” she says. She

recommends leaving alcohol out of first dates, both virtually and in person, to keep judgment sharp. Others say an alcoholic beverage may help break the ice. 8. A MORE AMBITIOUS MEAL, WITH A

LITTLE HELP If you've always wanted to take a cooking class, don't let the pandemic stop you. Participating in a virtual cooking class with a chef can be an exhilarating

experience, even virtually. Do a Google search for online cooking classes and see what you and your date might like to try, whether that’s creating the perfect dessert, making homemade

pizzas or perfecting sauces. Diane Solomon has tried virtual cooking with her dates. Courtesy Diane Solomon But you don't have to go to the extremes. If you're cooking virtually

and are both customers of common meal kit services, like Blue Apron, plan ahead and order the same meal to cook together. Or pick a recipe you both like and cook it while you FaceTime. 9.

PLAY A GAME OR PLAN AN ACTIVITY Remember show-and-tell from your elementary school days? Daters can plan to introduce a few items that best represent their personalities or lives and

describe them on the Zoom call. Conversation is not likely to stall, and it can also be done in person. Harris also recommends the game “two truths and a lie,” which involves telling your

date two true facts and one lie about yourself. As your date tries to guess the lie, conversation ensues, leading you to learn more about the other person in lighthearted way. Other game

ideas? Try summing up your life in just five emojis, Harris says, and let the other person interpret them. When in doubt, you can also play Words With Friends together during the Zoom call.

Brian Bennett, 57, of Waynesville, Ohio, says that Zoom calls have given relationships a “turbo boost” because by the time you meet in person you've already seen each other online a few

times. "You have those first, sometimes awkward, moments out of the way ... so, by [your first in-person meeting] you have been able to talk about many of the things you would have

traditionally talked about on a first date,” he says. “To be honest, I like it." _Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 19, 2021. It's been updated

to refect new information._