How To Open And Clean Delivery Packages During The Coronavirus Pandemic

Part of what makes the coronavirus pandemic daunting is how, even for those of us lucky enough to be healthy and safe, many daily routines have completely changed. There are all kinds of things we took for granted before that we now realize we have to pay extra close attention to.

One such thing: receiving deliveries.

Whether its food delivery, groceries, or something ordered from Amazon , these packages were put together at some other location and passed through many hands before arriving at your door step.

Mail carriers and couriers are working harder with the increase in online shopping , and many of the restaurants that have closed are still offering takeout and delivery as a way to supplement their lost income . And lots of kind people are taking initiative to help their neighbours by picking up groceries, medication and other essentials, putting themselves at risk so that other people have what they need.

So, in this age of social distancing, how do we safely and responsibly receive a package? Here are some tips.

Request a contact-free delivery

Luckily, delivery people leaving packages on your doorstep without actually interacting with you is already the norm in many cases. Most food delivery services are already doing it, or at the very least letting customers request it (often in the notes or special instructions section). The risk of transmission through food is very low, epidemiologist Stephen Morse told The Atlantic: Cooked foods are unlikely to be a concern unless they get contaminated after cooking.

Canada Post, too, is taking extra precautions by no longer requesting signatures when they drop off packages. Delivery orders of this kind are also relatively unlikely to transmit coronavirus , although you should still wash your hands after opening them, just as a precaution.

Watch: What is social distancing? Story continues after video.

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The contact-free delivery is more for the delivery persons safety than your own: theyre particularly at risk , given how many people they interact with in a day.

So, if youre ordering something for delivery, be sure to put in the work so that the deliverer doesnt have to touch or interact too closely with you: ask them to leave the package at the door and knock or notify you, explain why youre requesting that, and dont pick it up until theyve left.

Consider opening the package outside

The virus can live on cardboard, but a new study suggests that it disintegrates quickly on cardboard , unlike plastic or steel. So deliveries in cardboard boxes are unlikely to spread the disease.

But, if you want to take extra precautions, you could open your packages outside, Dr. Kavita Patel told Verizon Media on Thursday.

The method Kristen Bell laid out on Instagram is, it turns out, pretty scientifically sound.

View this post on Instagram