Coronavirus: Man who asked neighbour out using drone wears protective bubble for first date

'Just because we have to social distance doesn't mean we have to be socially distant'

With much of the world confined to their homes amid the coronavirus pandemic, there has not been a lot of opportunities for dating.

However, quarantine didn’t stop one man from Brooklyn, New York, who managed to find a way to ask his neighbour on a date despite being confined to his apartment - thanks to a drone and a handwritten note.

Last week, Jeremy Cohen went viral on social media after he shared a video of his initial interaction with his neighbour, whom he first spotted dancing on top of a nearby roof.

“I needed to say hi to her,” Cohen says in the video, explaining that he waved from his balcony and she waved back. The clip has since been viewed more than 6.1m times.

Cohen then wrote his number on a piece of paper and attached it to his drone, which he flew down to where the woman, later identified as Tori Cignarella, was sitting. An hour later, he received a text from Cignarella.

“I can’t believe this actually worked and yes this is a real story,” Cohen captioned the video.

Despite social distancing restrictions enforced on the city, the new relationship didn’t end there - as the unlikely couple has since managed to go on two dates.

According to an update shared to Cohen’s social media profiles, his and Cignarella’s first date occurred via FaceTime and their roofs, with each setting the mood with a meal laid out on a white tablecloth.

“So we got on FaceTime and ate our matching organic microwavable dinners together,” Cohen said in the second update, explaining that he’d secretly coordinated with Cignarella’s roommate to set the date up.

“Part two. Her name is Tori. She’s cute and kind and I’m so happy I met her,” Cohen wrote.

The couple has since managed to go on their first in-person date, according to an update shared by Cohen.

For the date, Cohen dressed in an inflatable bubble so that he could meet Cignarella while protecting himself from the virus.

“I needed to see her but I also wanted to respect the fact that we should be social distancing,” Cohen said in the latest video.

During the date, Cohen and Cignarella walk around their neighbourhood, before getting stopped by police officers. But rather than reprimanding the pair for being outside, the police asked for a photo - as they recognised Cohen and Cignarella from the news.

“Just because we have to social distance doesn’t mean we have to be socially distant,” Cohen wrote.

The latest video, which has been viewed more than 2.5m times, has prompted an outpouring of support for Cohen and Cignarella.

“This might be the one story that gets us all through quarantine. Thank you for that,” one person tweeted.

Another said: “Can’t wait for the next episode! Thanks for the smiles during these crazy times.”