With the spread of COVID-19, we’re hearing from people across the country concerned about what they can do to protect themselves. Some of these concerns are understandable, but they are misplaced: the new virus will not seep into your home or infect you from open windows. and going for a walk in the park, separate from others, will make you less likely to get sick from the virus, not more. But there are understandable fears about everyday activities, like picking up the mail and shopping. We have heard these concerns from our families and we want to share with you the same suggestions that we share with them.
Of course, if you’re not worried, you can continue to receive and handle mail and purchases as you always would. it would be a good idea to wash your hands after doing so, ideally before touching your mouth, eyes or nose. but if you are worried about these daily activities, read on.
We worked together nearly 30 years ago on control of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, particularly on stopping spread in hospitals. Tom’s nephew asked about mail and groceries, and here’s what Sam had to say:
“Most people who become infected do not do so by handling mail order, mail order, or grocery packages. Most infections occur when people come near or touch other people who may be infected, or when they touch surfaces or objects that have been touched by people who were infected with the virus.
so if you don’t want to get infected, be careful all the time, not just when you open packages, send mail, or shop. stay physically distant at all times, do not shake hands, avoid people who have respiratory symptoms or fever, minimize travel, carry hand sanitizer with you when you have to go out and use it frequently, avoid touching surfaces or objects that are touched often with bare hands. hands, don’t touch your face without first washing your hands if they might be contaminated, and wash your hands every time you think you’ve touched someone or something that might be contaminated.
Our selfish lapses threaten lives:Here’s how to make moral decisions about coronavirus.
If you’re specifically concerned about handling packages, mail, or groceries, there are no official recommendations that I’m aware of, but here are some practical tips:
mail order packages
The chance that an item purchased through mail order, or its packaging, will have a virus when it is mailed is extremely low. furthermore, by the time the package arrives, it will likely have been at least a day since it was mailed, further reducing the likelihood that if it contained a virus when it was mailed, that virus is infectious. three days after shipment, the chance that any virus that might have been in the package when it was mailed is still infectious is slim to none. the probability that the person delivering the package is infected and contaminates your package with viruses is also very low. it would probably be quite safe to open the package on arrival. but if you want to be as safe as possible, you can pick up the package with a tissue, set it aside and out of the way, throw the tissue in the trash, wash your hands with soap and water, leave the package for three days, and then open it.
ordinary mail
The same reasoning applies to regular mail. the probability that it will have an infectious virus when it is delivered is very low. mail must be safe to open on arrival. no problem washing your hands after opening the mail, that’s what we do. but again, if you’re worried about this and want to be sure, use the three-day approach described above for packages.
groceries
The most important thing about managing groceries is how you shop, not the groceries themselves. carry hand sanitizer with you. many stores have disinfectant wipes at the entrance, but to be safe, you can bring some of your own. before entering the store, put on a simple mask that covers your nose and mouth (now an official cdc recommendation; a homemade cloth mask is fine). If the store has automatic doors, use them to avoid touching the doors or door handles. if the doors are not automatic, push them with your shoulder or hip to open them, or use a tissue that you will later dispose of. before taking a cart, disinfect the handle with a wipe. then remember to only touch the part you disinfected.
hotline:share your coronavirus story
Remember not to touch your face the entire time you’re in the store. To the extent possible, avoid touching counters and other surfaces or objects that many other people touch, such as refrigerator and freezer handles. to be safe, use a tissue or piece of paper to open things like that, then throw it away. if you don’t have a tissue, be sure to wash your hands with hand sanitizer after touching surfaces and objects that may be contaminated and before touching your face. try to touch as few things as possible while picking up the items you need and placing them in the cart.
If possible, use self-checkout to limit the number of people touching your purchases. Exit through automatic doors, if possible. before opening your car door, or after getting into the car, but before you touch anything, wash your hands thoroughly with hand sanitizer, remove your mask, and wash your hands again.
When you get home, place food on a table, other surface, or the floor. wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. the chance that any of the items you’ve brought home has an infectious virus is very low, so you probably don’t need to disinfect them. if you want to be as safe as possible and don’t need to use dry products right away, you can leave them for three days before storing. but fridge and freezer items can’t wait; they have to be saved.
Where do we go from here:How to beat the coronavirus and return to a new normal
After putting things away, wash your hands again with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.”
we all have to eat, breathe and get on with our lives. The coronavirus pandemic is affecting many of us terribly, including our healthcare workers, those who are infected, the elderly, and our economy. But it doesn’t have to dominate our lives: there are simple things we can do to reduce worry and interruption. a little hand sanitizer is a small price to pay for a little peace of mind.
dr. Sam Dooley is a medical epidemiologist who retired in January 2020, after 31 years of service with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. dr Tom Frieden is the former Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, former Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health, and currently President and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, a global nonprofit initiative that is part of the world public health organization. life strategies. follow him on twitter: @drtomfrieden