Novel Coronavirus has now killed more than 1,000 people and infected over 45,000 all over the world, as of Tuesday, Feb. 11. Massive and stringent health inspections are currently being implemented in order to stop the spread of the said viral disease. However, the government seemed to be missing out on a significant possible carrier of the disease: China-made items that are being sold online.
Is it still safe to buy China-made online items amid Coronavirus? Here's explanation
2019- nCoV, now called COVID-19, is still frightening most citizens in China and people around the world with its fast way of spreading from one person to another. According to the World Health Organization, human hands can be one of the best hosts for viral diseases and also has the easiest access to spread the disease.
"Hands touch many surfaces which can be contaminated with the virus.," WHO said on its website. "If you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with your contaminated hands, you can transfer the virus from the surface to yourself."
With this warning, people are now speculating that even items that are touched or made by Chinese people or came from China may have a possibility of carrying the virus-- now leading people to stopped buying online items that are specifically China-made. But should people really worry about this issue?
Hoax: Imported goods are associated with Coronavirus
U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) already released a statement regarding this claim. CDC clarified that this is only a myth and that "In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures."
"Currently, there is no evidence to support the transmission of 2019-nCoV associated with imported goods, and there have not been any cases of 2019-nCoV in the United States associated with imported goods," the agency added.
WHO also shared a statement saying that coronaviruses "do not survive long on objects." Once items are exposed to UV rays or any heat from outside, the viruses tend to die.
40% Amazon products came from China, Here's why you shouldn't worry
Famous online retail shops like Amazon are now giving heads up to their China-based factories and workers on the health and security protocols that they should follow amid the Coronavirus spread.
Since 40% of Amazon products are China-made or imported from the country, Amazon has now released a message for their sellers and distributors in the country to heads up them once they can no longer fulfill orders.
"If your business operations may be impacted, we recommend taking precautions to protect your Amazon seller account health. These precautions may include canceling previously placed orders that you are no longer able to fulfill, placing your account in vacation status, or taking additional steps to manage your inventory," said Amazon.
The world's largest online store was also reported stocking up on Chinese products as a 'cautionary move' from the company. According to Business Insider, Amazon was "preparing for possible supply chain disruptions due to recent global events originating in China."
Although Amazon is doing its best to stay sharp amid Coronavirus spread, experts think that the battle between online shopping and this virus will go for a while.
"Indirectly, coronavirus could negatively impact all businesses - Amazon included - to the extent [the virus] spooks consumers, prompting them to hang on to their money," said Kerry Murdock, editor, and publisher of online e-commerce magazine Practical Ecommerce on FOX Business.