Footnote 19: Happy Valentine's Day

Covidistan daily Der Standard 'reports' that the Thai gov't recommends intimate contacts should wear masks when having sex because…

Here’s something for your edification, my dear readers.

Over at Der Standard, court stenographers never tire to sing the praises of all mandates to fight of the plague of our times. And Laurin Lorenz’ ridiculous inanities in advance of Valentine’s Day are, by no means, an exception:

Couples in Thailand Should Wear Masks When Having Intercourse on Valentine’s Day

It’s likely to be unsolicited relationship advice for couples in Thailand: Health authorities in the East Asian country have urged lovers to keep pandemic measures in mind on the upcoming Valentine’s Day - and to wear masks during sex as well. ‘Covid is not a sexually transmitted disease, but contracting Covid by breathing during close contact or by exchanging saliva is possible.’, the head of the Reproductive Medicine Authority, Bunyarit Sukrat, stressed this on Friday.

Coronavirus is currently spreading more widely again in Thailand. Health officials have expressed fears that Valentine’s Day on Monday could add to the trend—even though it is clear that people have sex on other days of the year.

Bunyarit advised couples to get tested for Covid-19 before their dates on Valentine’s Day. ‘Sex positions where people look directly at each other and intense kissing’ should be avoided, he advised. ‘Where possible, wearing a mask during sex can reduce the risk of covid infection.’

Valentine's Day is very popular in Thailand, with many couples using the day to get engaged. Especially in Bangkok's ‘red-light district’ Bang Rak, long queues form in front of the registry offices every year on 14 February.

Now, I didn’t know (or cared) who Laurin Lorenz was before I saw this gem of a ‘news’ item, but Der Standard’s website informs me now that he’s an up-and-coming 28 year-old ‘journalist’. The page itself doesn’t say anything about his credentials, but over at the Berliner daily Der Tagesanzeiger, we are able to learn ‘more’:

Lorenz (*1992) has an undergraduate degree in ‘International Development’ and a master’s degree in ‘Political Theory’ from the U of York, England. He was apparently, according to the latter piece, writing on social problems for a while before he determined he wanted to become ‘a journalist’.

Well, now we know, and I’m pretty convinced that the above piece will also help you to determine both the seriosity of the important Covid-related work carried out these days by Lorenz and his ilk.

Happy Valentine’s Day, by the way, hug your partner and/or friends, and please do ignore the ‘information’ put forth by the Thai health authorities.