Tinder is giving 500 users a pair of free COVID-19 test kits by mail – one for them and one for a Tinder correspondence. The company says it is a way to help people feel more comfortable finding matches in real life.
He is using tests from medical testing company EverlyWell. People who do EverlyWell coronavirus tests clean their nose at home and send the sample to the laboratory. The results are published online within one to two days.
During the pandemic, dating app companies introduced new features to help people date safely. One of the main focuses was the ways to facilitate virtual meetings, which are actually a good way to meet people without the risk of divulging or contracting COVID-19. Bumble recently launched Night In, a feature that allows users to play together on a video call.
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Image: Tinder
Tinder is introducing its test kit as another way to reduce dating risks. “We are excited to work with Everlywell to make it easier for our members to go and find their peers safely,” said Nicole Parlapiano, Tinder’s vice president of marketing for North America, in a statement.
But distributing test kits does not make a personal encounter totally safe. Taking a COVID-19 test before meeting someone new helps, but it doesn’t completely eliminate the risk: someone can take the test, send it and then get the coronavirus in the window before the result comes back.
Tinder points to this in an interface for the draw, saying that “a negative test result does not mean that you do not have or cannot transmit COVID-19”.
According to Tinder, more and more people are saying on their profiles that they want to have a date. There are ways to make it safer, like going outdoors, wearing masks or avoiding other people before and after. Tests can play a role in this overall calculation – but a negative result is not a free pass.
Tinder users in the United States can request a code for testing on March 20, starting at 7:00 pm ET. If you are unable to get one, free COVID-19 tests are also available at health centers and pharmacies across the country.