Love in the time of coronavirus? Around the world, dating apps finds a way

Hobley walking in a park in downtown Manhattan in New York City, US. 'What we're seeing on OkCupid is a real desire to connect. As more and more folks are working from home, cancelling all social plans, not traveling, some are already feeling lonely and a bit isolated,' said Hobley. 'In many cities, coronavirus has become one of the top icebreakers in messages to matches.' — Reuters

SAN FRANCISCO/MADRID/BEIRUT: The night after Spain's government ordered a nationwide lockdown to stem the spread of coronavirus, 30-year-old Marcos got up the nerve to ask the woman he'd been messaging on Tinder for three days to visit him at home.

To his surprise, she accepted. Arriving in a taxi, wearing gloves and refusing to take the elevator, she hooked up with Marcos in his apartment before insisting he call her a cab before dawn to go home.