Dating During a Pandemic
On Dec. 6, 2020, Carlos (right) and Maya (left), who began dating in April, pose in front of Carlos' home in Pasadena, Calif. During the pandemic, Carlos and Maya have had to build their relationship around quarantine and social distancing restrictions. So, instead of going out to clubs or the gym (activities they liked to do before covid-19), Maya and Carlos spend most of their time together at each other's homes. (Courtesy of Genesis Jefferson // LMU Lion Editorial Team 2020)
Dating During a Pandemic
Dating During a Pandemic
Dating During a Pandemic
Dating During a Pandemic
Dating During a Pandemic
Dating During a Pandemic
Dating During a Pandemic
On Dec. 8, 2020, Abhishek and Ming (on the iPhone) hangout in Abhishek's bedroom in Pasadena, Calif. The couple began dating this year in April, but five months later, in September, Ming moved to Washington D.C. Since then, the two have had stay connected mostly over FaceTime. (Courtesy of Genesis Jefferson // LMU Lion Editorial Team 2020)
Dating During a Pandemic
Abhishek often works late nights and doesn't get off work until 9 pm PST - which is midnight for Ming on the east coast. By that time, Ming is usually asleep, and Abhishek is already heading to bed. Becuase of this, the two can't talk on most weekdays. On Dec. 8, 2020, Ming stayed up late to talk to Abhishek. (Courtesy of Genesis Jefferson // LMU Lion Editorial Team 2020)
Dating During a Pandemic
When Ming moved from Woodland Hills, Calif. to Washington D.C., she left Abhishek with many of her things, including a lamp, a monitor, and a bean bag chair. She also left Abhishek with a painting and a shoe rack. Both don't fit in his room and have sat in the hallway since Ming left. On Dec. 8, 2020, Abhishek showed his roommate everything Ming left him. (Courtesy of Genesis Jefferson // LMU Lion Editorial Team 2020)
Dating During a Pandemic
Dating During a Pandemic
Dating During a Pandemic
Abhishek planned to visit Ming in Washington D.C. on Thanksgiving; the two wanted to see the city and visit National Museums. On Nov. 18, 2020, Ming Facetimed Abhishek to tell him that Washington D.C. shutdown museums and other tourist spots due to a Covid-19 spike. Hearing the news, Abhishek began to wonder if visiting Ming for Thanksgiving was still worth it. (Courtesy of Genesis Jefferson // LMU Lion Editorial Team 2020)
Dating During a Pandemic
Abhishek decided to visit Ming even though Washington D.C shut down the places on their sightseeing itinerary. On Nov. 27, 2020, the two went to a Top Golf outside of Washington D.C. But for most of the week that Abhishek visited, he and Ming stayed home in quarantine (Courtesy of Genesis Jefferson // LMU Lion Editorial Team 2020)
Dating During a Pandemic
On Nov. 27, 2020, Abhishek and Ming take off their masks to eat and drink at Top Golf in Germantown, MD. Abhishek could only visit Ming for a few days due to his work schedule. When asked by a roommate how his vacation to see Ming was, Abhishek said that the visit was "too short." (Courtesy of Genesis Jefferson // LMU Lion Editorial Team 2020)
This photo essay features two romantic relationships that began during the covid-19 pandemic. It aims to showcase how dating has changed for some couples during this pandemic and the conflicts that arise from social distancing and quarantine.
Carlos and Maya, one of the featured couples, began dating in April, a month after cover-19 shut down much of the United States. Carlos and Maya bonded in quarantine – despite their hesitation to get into a relationship during a pandemic. They’ve also fallen in love and figured out how to navigate a pandemic relationship – in their unique way.
Abhishek and Ming also began dating last spring, when the covid-19 shuttered them inside. The two bonded in person over the summer, but in September, Ming moved away. Now Abhishek and Ming are in a long-distance relationship that presents its own conflicts – some of which can be blamed on the pandemic.
The covid-19 pandemic did not solely shape these couple’s relationship. Still, it’s played a large part in where, when, and how Carlos and Maya, or Abhishek and Ming date.