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Online deliveries - are they safe?

8 replies

justarandom1 · 17/03/2020 03:24

I’m due to have a baby soon and am about to start ordering a load of stuff online that I need, such as a cot, pram etc. These will all come wrapped in plastic and cardboard - is it okay to take the boxes into my house and handle them? Are there any precautions I should take? I’m probably overthinking things but my anxiety is through the roof at the moment.

OP posts:
AlexaT · 17/03/2020 03:39

Hi, I would keep them in the entrance of your home if space permits and then unwrap the item outside of whatever room you intend to assemble and keep/store the item. Once items have been opened/assembled, then dispose of the packaging properly and wash your hands with antibacterial wash or soap and water (and then use hand sanitiser - but that’s just me!) and wipe the items with antibacterial wipes for extra peace of mind.

Saturdaycartoon · 17/03/2020 03:41

Honestly, googling any reputable source on this NHS, WHO will tell you in seconds that transfer of the virus from packages is incredibly unlikely.

It will also tell you that using disinfectant will kill the virus. Wearing gloves and disposing properly will also remove transfer risk.

Common sense is also required. Ignore rubbish on social media.
Save your anxiety for putting together your flat pack. Grin

NanSlayer · 17/03/2020 03:51

I'm putting non-essential mail straight into "quarantine" for 7 / 14 days depending on importance in my little garage (marker pen the date received on the item) maybe use a shed or something as your "quarantine" area ...

Then move stuff into the house once the time period has expired, I have cleared an area for managing and cleaning up after any interactions, gloves, cleaning stuff, change of clothes in bag.
Also I use hydrogen peroxide and distilled water mix, with a nebuliser to hit surfaces with as a big mist of natural disinfectant, including my sinuses, then use extreme social distancing with everyone for 7 days.

I have two elderly parent with existing health conditions that why I'm using this strategy, plus I have worked in the biomedical research field so I'm a little more para than most.

AlexaT · 17/03/2020 03:57

“incredibly unlikely” still doesn’t sound good enough to me when it potentially involves a newborn child who will still be developing their immune system etc.

Yes, common sense is sensible, but must we really be following the advice of the govt and WHO who are contradicting themselves and each other on a daily basis (as the cases, deaths and situations of the coronavirus in the UK worsens) and have very little reliable evidence, due to the virus being somewhat new

NanSlayer · 17/03/2020 04:18

The feeling I'm getting from America/China and the WHO relationship is that there is an internal political power battle/struggle of epic proportions going on and the rest of the world is collateral damage.

Take as many precautions as you can, because whatever this is, it seems double serious, do what you can do to the best of your abilities ... that is all you can ever ask of yourself, this is the mind set I'm applying.

Pretty sure this is going to get more serious before it gets better.

justarandom1 · 17/03/2020 08:18

“incredibly unlikely” still doesn’t sound good enough to me when it potentially involves a newborn child who will still be developing their immune system etc.

My home is very small so I don’t have anywhere to “quarantine” my stuff before opening - and my baby needs a cot/pram and clothes! This is a nightmare Sad

OP posts:
Alwayscheerful · 17/03/2020 09:31

Wear gloves when unwrapping the items and dispose of the packaging outside immediately. If possible unwrap,the items outside and discard the packaging in the bin.

viccat · 17/03/2020 09:39

All the experts (and Royal Mail!) are saying post and parcels are safe. The virus doesn't survive very long on paper/cardboard etc. - from a few hours to up to 48 hours at most on some surfaces (stainless steel, plastic). The virus needs a human host, it's not going to stay indefinitely on surfaces.

If you want to be extra careful, avoid direct contact with the delivery person, unwrap the parcels near your front door, take the packaging straight out to your recycling bin and then wash your hands immediately without touching your face in between.

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