5 OTHER WAYS TO KISS

> According to updated guidelines from the New York City Health Department issued this week, you should “avoid kissing anyone who is not part of your small circle of contacts.” That means you have to be creative in how you show your affection. Therefore, we asked Andréa Demirjian, the kissing expert and author of “Kissing,” to share her tips for alternative quarantine kisses.

THE FIRST-DATE KISS JUST WEAR A MASK

> You can enjoy the feel of someone’s lips through the mask on your arm or hand. Granted, it might not be the most sensational way to enjoy a kiss with a new romantic partner, but it can be kind of sexy. Just think how memorable your first-kiss story might be. (Remember to wash your hands often.)

THE FAMILY KISS BUMP ELBOWS

> Thinking of an Inuit greeting, rub or gently bump elbows instead of nose to nose or nose to cheek. With the virus passing from our hands to our face and mouth, “elbowing” might be the new Inuit kiss. Also, you can have fun making up little routines around it.

KISSING A PET GO FOR A RUB INSTEAD

> While the coronavirus primarily spreads through humanto-human contact, there is a rare chance of passing it to your pet. So go for a good belly scratch or rub instead. Bonus points if you use a back scratcher to scratch your fur baby from a proper social distance.

KISSING A SICK LOVED ONE BLOW KISSES

> There’s no real alternative here other than kissing from a safe distance. However, this is why blowing a kiss was invented, right? Send them a smooch from far away and let them know how you feel by verbalizing your love as well.

LA BISE (KISS ON BOTH CHEEKS) KEEP THE MASK ON

> Until there is a vaccine, kissing friends and acquaintances hello becomes risky for you and them. When you finally do it, make it a little more meaningful by kissing four times instead. Or try it as quick air kisses on both cheeks.