Dating apps navigate new norms with return of real-life meetings

Longer periods of virtual dating may just become the norm to screen prospective partners. — Dreamstime/TNS

Kimberly Chao’s first date was canceled after he told her he might have caught the coronavirus. It took three negatives tests and multiple video calls before he convinced her to finally meet in person – three months after they started chatting on a dating app.

With restaurants and bars closed at the time, her date suggested they stroll around in New York City’s Soho area to check out protest street art on boarded-up store windows. They wore masks the whole time in their 90-minute meet-up.