Love in the Time of COVID: How Valentine's Day Was Celebrated in the US

As the world remains in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US remains the worst affected country, with 27.6 million infected and 485,000 dead. This, however, did not stop lovers from celebrating the Valentine's Day, when people express their feelings and passion to each other.

We have selected a number of heart-warming pictures taken in California and New York, where couples engaged in public displays of affection amid social distancing norms. Check out Sputnik’s gallery to make sure that love is still all around.

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Angelina Sarge and Richard Rubido kiss in front of a heart sculpture in DUMBO on Valentine's Day during the coronavirus disease pandemic, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, New York, U.S., 14 February 2021.

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Lorena and Steven James wave to surfers while posing for photos on a lifeguard tower after they were married on the beach on Valentine’s Day on 14 February 2021 in Huntington Beach, California. The bride said they decided to have a small wedding on the beach in order maintain safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She said, ‘We don’t let the pandemic stop us from living life.'

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Visitors are seen at the Cabazon Dinosaurs, which have been painted to celebrate Valentine's Day on 14 February 14 2021 in Cabazon, California.

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Denise and Robert Marte, wearing protective masks, walk down a red carpet after exchanging their vows at their Valentine's Day wedding ceremony in Times Square in Manhattan, New York City, New York, US, 14 February 2021.

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Couples swim during Valentine’s Day festivities in Miami Beach, on 14 February 2021.

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Bernisha Moore wears heart-shaped hair pins during Valentines Day in Times Square in Manhattan, New York City, New York, 14 February 2021.

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A couple pauses on a walk to embrace on Valentine's Day during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, on 14 February 2021.

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A couple have dinner behind outdoor seating screening on Valentine's Day on 14 February 2021 in the Little Italy neighborhood in New York City. New York City resumed indoor dining over the weekend at 25 percent capacity, with restaurant hours being extended from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. beginning today.

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Women take photos of pink bears sitting for Valentine's Day outside a Georgetown restaurant in Washington, DC on 14 February 2021.

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Meryl Pearlstein and James Wacht stand on the Red Steps while they renew their vows during Valentine's Day in Manhattan, New York City, 14 February 2021.

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A person carries balloons on Valentine's Day in Times Square in Manhattan, New York City, New York, 14 February 2021.

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A couple waits to cross the street on Valentine's Day, 14 February 2021, in New York's Little Italy neighbourhood. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, couples are still out celebrating Valentine's Day.