How To Open a Package During a Viral Outbreak

I never thought I'd be so scared of a package that I was expecting.

Like a lot of people, my partner and I have resorted to ordering things to be shipped to our door rather than go out and buy it in person. However, thanks to how little is known about if/how long COVID-19 can transfer via surfaces, each delivery we get is met with a mixture of excitement and terror.

I suppose everyone has a different level of comfort with how they approach the opening of a package, but here's generally how the process has gone at our house:

Either my partner or myself claims responsibility for retrieving the package, and they are applauded by the other
The responsible person puts on some outdoor footwear, clears a surface on a table or counter, and then retrieves a box cutter (optional: gloves are worn)
They then go outside and cut the box open while touching it as little as possible
The contents are pulled out and placed onto the ground
The box is broken down and taken directly to the recycle bin, and any packaging material is disposed of in the waste bin
The contents of the package are then brought inside, with the other person holding the doors open for them
The contents are placed on the cleared surface
The box cutter is put away
Hands are washed for 20 seconds

And now we are safe to proceed with putting away or admiring our packages.

It's even exhausting just to look at it all listed out, but given what little we know about how long the virus can last on any surface we're not even totally sure if this process is sufficient enough. The basic idea is that the exterior box is the most-recent possible exposure, while any contents within have not been touched for at least 24 hours (no same-day shipping anymore!) and are presumably safer.

So just imagine my terrified delight when I was working at home alone this afternoon and all of these packages were delivered, but not all at once.

Stay healthy and sane!

-Ryan

Comments

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