#NYC offers free home delivery of condoms, lube on 6/9 — National Sex Day

City Department of Health officials are offering free home delivery of condoms, lubricant and HIV self-test kits to New Yorkers enduring restricted access to sexual health clinics during the coronavirus crisis.

“Even during a global pandemic, sex remains an important part of overall health and well-being for many people,” said Dr. Oni Blackstock, assistant commissioner for the Health Department’s Bureau of HIV.

Blackstock made the announcement on 6/9, National Sex Day.

“As New Yorkers have had to adapt to the realities of the pandemic, so have the Health Department’s service models. Door 2 Door and the Community Home Test Giveaway Virtual Program will allow New Yorkers to access sexual health services from the comfort and safety of their own homes,” Blackstock said.

At the start of the pandemic city health officials told New Yorkers that self-love was the best and safest kind of love.

“You are your safest sex partner,” according to the document released in March. “Masturbation will not spread COVID-19, especially if you wash your hands (and any sex toys) with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after.”

The free condom program seems to be a tacit acknowledgement about the limits of self-love.

New Yorkers across the five boroughs can order free condoms ranging in size and style including NYC Legend XL and Extreme Ribs by visiting nyc.gov/condoms. Before COVID-19 the Health Department gave out 30 million condoms and lubricant packs to 3,500 nonprofits and businesses citywide.

“Products come in multiples of 30 and are delivered in discreetly packaged envelopes. Orders are limited to two products at a time, and one order per individual every 30 days, while supplies last,” according to a Health Department press release.

Free HIV self-test kits are also available for home delivery by redeeming online coupon codes from OraSure OraQuick.

Last month city health workers started delivering free methadone to opioid addicts — sparking outrage from officials who called it  a “recipe for disaster.”