Swinging is a practice in which people already in a committed relationship engage in sexual activity with other people. The Naughty N’Awlins Swingers Convention is happening November 19-23 in New Orleans in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The organizers tout the event as, “most popular lifestyle and swinger convention event in the country since 1998.”
This gathering at the Astor Crowne Plaza on Bourbon Street and Canal will be limited to married couples who have never traded partners. Married couples who have traded partners in the past will be asked to watch only this year.
According to organizers, some of the guidelines NiN2020 will implement include:
• Quarantining all couples in their hotel rooms 24/7
• Rectal temperature tests every six hours
• Latex prophylactics on all handles and extensions
• Plastic sheets on all room surfaces
• Couples must provide a detailed record of arguments from the preceding year proving the marriage
The plan for “monogamy” is considered the best option for NiN2020 to still happen while keeping the intimate convention from becoming a super-spreading cluster during the current pandemic. Gone are the dozen or so event “playrooms,” where people could “safely explore fantasies” with new partners or in groups. About about 250 checked in for the 2020 event where 2000 checked in the year before.
With monogamy being a drastic change of scenery for the convention, NiN2020 organizers say they are prepared if some couples are tempted to stray. Virtual swapping through streaming, chats, and live podcasts will be available by request. Creepy robotic dolls will also be on hand to give a hand.
If would seem that swingers parties are being approved across the country. The Metro Public Health Department in Nashville Tennessee signed off on alleged swinger parties. One party, scheduled for December, costs $100 for couples, $30 for single females and $120 for selected single gentlemen. A Metro Council member was quoted in Tennessee Lookout calling the parties “clearly dangerous” for spreading COVID-19.
It seems the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a surge in the number of people using swingers apps. Data shows that there are currently at least 721,927 active swingers across the United States. COVID-19 is spread through touch and droplets breathed out by infected people, and experts have warned against sleeping with partners from outside your household while lock downs remain in place. I could not find any stats about how many swingers might have been infected by the virus.
Swingers parties in the UK, Australia and France may have been linked to outbreaks.
Post script: The Naughty Naulins event is a superspreader now that 41 people have tested positive for COVID-19 as of December 2, 2020.