To start work as a courier tomorrow?

[Doggyperson]

I've been offered some work as a courier delivering parcels and I said yes, supposed to be going in tomorrow for training.

I was self employed but work has dried up due to the coronavirus. It will be my only income for now but I have some savings.

I'll be touching loads of parcels that have been passed about. We can leave on doorstep, knock than and walk away and I would wear gloves.

It's a bad idea isn't it?

The truth is the country won't survive unless deliveries continue. I've seen supermarkets and delivery type jobs with immediate starts being advertised. People who have lost their income may have to change to this kind of work. Demand is through the roof.

Take all the precautions you mentioned and take care.

It's what I do (postie for RM). To be honest we have much less contact with the public than people in retail/nhs/schools etc. As long as you follow the guidelines for handwashing regularly and stand 6 feet from the door, I don't see that it's inherently more risky than going to your local supermarket. Though I could be wrong of course.

I've also noticed that when.people open the door, they're standing well back and are mostly happy to pick parcels up from the floor with you standing virtually half a street away . Hope this helps.

I was fine with it then my sister said I shouldn't be doing it. She's a worrier!

Oh you'll be fine. Seriously. Use gloves and even a mask if you're concerned. I think the risk from catching the virus off parcels will be super low.
All of my parcels are left on my doorstep. The postie or delivery guys ring my doorbell and leave it on the doorstep. They walk away immediately after ringing so that they're a good distance between me and them when I open the door to wave and say thanks.

I really imagine customers will absolutely respect the distance needed between you and them. You certainly will be kept busy, for sure. It's secure work in these times.

Unless you are changing gloves regularly or they discourage you from touching your face (latter is true for me) then they won't actually reduce transmission. So I wouldn't worry about gloves, I would just hand sanitise or take plenty of water and actually wash your hands every 30-60 mins.

I'll go for it, I need an Income. Thanks for the reassurance