Grindr, Scruff, and Lex Respond to COVID-19 With Warnings and Humor

Grindr wants you to wash your hands.

The gay dating and hookup app is sharing health guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with U.S. users in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The health and safety of our users is a top priority for Grindr. We are advising users to follow guidelines provided by the CDC and have published these guidelines in the Grindr app to help users make the best informed decisions when interacting with others," a Grindr spokesperson told The Advocate.

The C.D.C. is encouraging frequent hand-washing (for at least 20 seconds), avoiding face-touching, staying home if feeling ill, and practicing social distancing in areas where the new strain of the coronavirus is spreading.

(Related: Gays Recite Miss Vanjie, Carol's Letter for COVID-19 Hand-Washing)

As of this article's publishing, Scruff has not yet responded to a request for comment. However, PinkNews reports that it shared similar guidelines from the World Health Organization with its United Kingdom users.

Lex, an app that caters to queer women, raised awareness of self-quarantine with a more creative approach. Its Instagram posted an image of a "social distancing starter pack" in response to the "queerantine," which includes a vibrator, a bottle of Purell, and "Carrot Ginger soup by a hot babe you met on Lex."

Users of these apps who are not feeling well are advised not to hook up with others; moreover, avoid sexual conduct with those exhibiting symptoms, which include fever and a cough. COVID-19 is spread through touching infected surfaces as well as viral droplets from coughing or kissing. A study has shown that the virus is also spread through fecal-oral transmission.