Love on Hold

Abstract Two months after the initial announcement of COVID-19, the World Health Organization referred to the pathogen as a pandemic, and by March 2020 large gatherings were canceled as new “social distancing” measures were issued. Statements about the pandemic proliferated on social-media platforms, among them that culturally important gatherings were sources of a new anxiety. Given that qualitative works engaging the sociocultural aspects of people’s experiences, internal reflections, and the ways they navigate vulnerability are essential to a holistic view of COVID-19’s effects and mechanics, the present study posed the question “How has the social distancing order impacted your relationships?” on various social-media outlets (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter). This article analyzes the responses. Central to this inquiry is an understanding of how dating, marriage, and family relationships intersected with other axes of power specific to social safety during the pandemic.