As COVID Cases Rise In Michigan, So Does Gonorrhea

Michiganders beware, you might want to mask up more than just your faces from now on!

Now, how with social distancing measures and people "sexually distancing" (a new COVID-times dating term) does a sexually transmitted disease spread so much?

I mean, according to MLive and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 2019's number of 18,264 gonorrhea infections was surpassed as of October 31st, 2020....how does this happen?

In a recent press release, reported by MLive, MDHHS says this is most likely related to the pandemic and the fact that COVID-19 testing is taking prevalence over STD testing.

“While under normal circumstances the response to such an increase would include a call for broader testing," MLive shares from the press release. "There is a national shortage of collection kits and laboratory supplies used to test for gonorrhea.”

This has now caused even more pressure to be placed on medical providers to diagnose and treat cases of STD's, though MDHHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are offering help.

MDHHS and the CDC have guidance on "presumptive diagnosis and treatment of STDs" which, as someone who does not know the ins and outs of the medical world, reads as they need to know the signs and symptoms and treat people accordingly...even without confirmation from an "official" test.

Basically, it is kind of like how we are handling the COVID-19 pandemic. With Gonorrhea, If you are presenting any symptoms, you should assume you have it and play it safe...and always seek the simplest form of protection. A "mask" if you will.

So be safe out there, socially (and sexually) distance and mask up (in more ways than one)!

If you are still trying to date during the pandemic, here are some other terms, like "sexual distancing" to watch out for: