Online dating tips pandemic style

ALPENA, Mich. –  With less than a month from Valentines Day, many people may be planning their special time with their loved ones.

However, for those that are single, they may be wondering how to meet people during the pandemic. Using online dating tools is an option.

WBKB learned of a few ways to do it pandemic style and keep yourself safe and COVID free.

“Do I want to introduce this person into my bubble,” said hosts of The Homance Chronicles Podcast Nicole Bonneville.

In the spring of 2020 Michigan native Nicole did just that.

Using the Bumble app Nicole dated at the start of the states shutdown starting in April through October.

“Bumble is an app that works for me because it’s more on my terms; it’s the app that allows the women to decide if the relationship progresses,” said Bonneville.

She said due to the pandemic it was important to be creative for virus safety after establishing rapport with her dates.

“Another interesting one was just a trip to target,” described Bonneville.

Bonneville offers these tips to remain free of the virus– including only talking to your potential partner in the beginning.

“We’d talk for at least 2 weeks and neither of us showed any symptoms,” said Bonneville.

Aside from COVID, Michigan State Police want to make sure you’re doing everything to remain safe.

“People out there like to do their own background checks using social media or third party services where they can pay to do a background, but you gotta realize that you’re not even sure if that’s actually the person you’re speaking with,” said Michigan State Police Lieutenant Derrick Carroll.

Bonneville agrees.

“Make sure there’s nothing that’s setting off alarms outside of just their profile,” said Bonneville.

Lieutenant Carroll said to also make sure you meet your date in a public place.

You can hear about some of Nicole’s online dating stories on her podcast called the Homance Chronicles at www.stitcher.com/show/the-homance-chronicles or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thehomancechronicles/ and all podcast platforms.