Employees at Amazon warehouses in the United States have reportedly tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). Health experts reveal that the virus can still live on the package until 24 hours!
How long can the coronavirus live on things like packages? @DrJohnTorres says up to 24 hours and explains the best thing to do once you get a package. pic.twitter.com/nko3RJZSfV — TODAY (@TODAYshow) March 25, 2020
Workers from New York, Shepherdsville, Kentucky, Queens, Staten Island, Katy, Jacksonville, Florida, Brownstown, Wallingford, Oklahoma City, Michigan, and Connecticut have already tested positive for this virus.
The casualty is still unknown
So far, the total casualties of the virus through packages is still unknown. An interview with Dr. John Torres at the today show explains, "Anywhere from copper around four hours to stainless steel and plastic two-three days. Cardboard is right down the middle 24 hours is how long it could live on there and still be what we call viable, meaning it could still pass on coronavirus."
According to Dr. Torres, proper hygienic and sanitary measures should be practiced when receiving a practice. Dr. Torres suggests that there are two things to do once you receive a package.
Two things you can do once you receive the package
The first choice would be to let it sit for 24 hours to make sure that the virus has already died before touching the package. This should be enough time for the virus to die down according to Dr. Torres.
The second option would be to properly disinfect the package before making physical contact with it. Make sure to wash your hands once you have touched the outer package and do not directly touch your face right after direct contact.
How is Amazon handling the situation?
Jeff Bezos is still planning to hire 100,000 new employees to cater the growing demand for their delivery service and online market platform. Workers are said to receive double pay once they have rendered 40 hours for overtime up from the 1.5-times the original rate. This will only be effective from March 15 up to May 9 as per recent announcement.
Once the pandemic hit them, Amazon has announced that a budget of $25 million would be set aside for the delivery drivers who were diagnosed with the coronavirus (COVID-19) or those workers who were placed into quarantine by either the government or Amazon itself.
The company is also setting strict rules which prohibit employees from sitting next to one another especially during lunchroom in order to limit their contact.
The battle for face masks
According to Bezos, there is a big shortage in face masks as the supply is not able to meet the demands and Bezos wants to prioritize Amazon workers to make sure that they are well protected from this virus.
About 438,000 people were affected by the coronavirus and about 19,600 people have died due to this global pandemic. Amazon workers have been taking the risk almost equal to the first responders by providing food to the millions of isolated people while the government tells them to stay at home.
