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OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home
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Dating Dialogue
THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME MAY 21, 2020
What Would You Do If… Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters
Dear Navidaters,
Dear Navidaters,
I went out on a few Zoom dates with a great guy. He suggested we meet up in my backyard or at a local park where we would adhere to strict social distancing guidelines with gloves and masks. The thought of meeting someone with gloves and a mask is giving me a lot of anxiety. The mask makes me feel like people are being trapped or can’t speak. I know that isn’t logical but that’s what my anxiety is telling me. I have been to the supermarket for my mother, and I actually had my first panicky episode. I had to get out. I have gone back because I refuse to be afraid but I don’t feel good about it. I’m afraid if I meet him and see the mask I will get panicky and have to leave.
Thank you, Sarah
Disclaimer: This column is not intended to diagnose or otherwise conclude resolutions to any questions.
Our intention is not to offer any definitive
conclusions to any particular question, rather offer areas of exploration for the author and reader. Due to the nature of the column receiving only a short snapshot of an issue, without the benefit of an actual discussion, the panel’s role is to offer a range of possibilities. We hope to open up meaningful dialogue and individual exploration.
B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M
I would like to stick to Zoom dating and not meet just yet but he really wants to meet from a social distance. I know we’ve never lived through anything like this before, but do you think it’s OK to strictly Zoom date and not meet? Do you think we can move forward exclusively virtually? And, by the way, I never had anxiety in my life. This fear and anxiety is brand new for me. I had no issues dating or meeting anyone for any reason before. What do you suggest I do? I don’t want to let him get away because of my issue with the masks.
