How to properly handle Amazon delivery boxes and orders during the coronavirus pandemic
As quarantine and “shelter-in-place” orders become more commonplace, Americans will be relying on delivery services more than ever before. Sure, grocery stores and pharmacies are planning to stay open, but ordering supplies online is still the best way to avoid exposure to COVID-19 if you are following recommends to stay home.
But a new study released by the National Institutes of Health shows online orders aren’t 100% risk-free. Is it safe to handle mail and packages? The coronavirus is capable of sticking to surfaces for up to three days, which makes disinfecting extremely important. Tap or click to see the best disinfectants you can use, according to the EPA.
If you’re planning on ordering online from shipping services like Amazon, here’s what you need to know about handling your packages, cleaning them and making sure they’re safe enough to bring into your home.
What’s going on?
The National Institutes of Health reports the SARS-COV2 virus that causes COVID-19 is capable of clinging to surfaces for a longer period of time than originally thought. The virus can be found in aerosol particles for up to three hours, can cling to cardboard for up to 24 hours and can stick to plastic and stainless steel for up to three days, according to the New England Journal of Medicine.
Previously, researchers assumed respiratory droplets were the primary vector of infection. But this new knowledge, as well as the fact that infected people can display no symptoms at all, shows there is so much more we can do to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
MUST READ: Wash your hands frequently! It’s essential to staying healthy. Here’s a clever way to remind yourself, or your kids, to do it throughout the day.
It also presents a new set of challenges for one of the most important services we’ve come to rely on: delivery. Luckily, there are steps you can take to make sure the packages you receive are safe enough to bring indoors. Tap or click to see some of the coronavirus-killing items you can order online.
Get serious about sanitizing
If you order a package from Amazon or another shipping service, the first thing you should do is make sure the delivery person leaves it at your doorstep or in a package locker (if your community has one). This reduces face-to-face interaction and person to person spread, which is key in our widespread social distancing effort to flatten the curve of infection.
When ordering from Amazon, you can leave special delivery instructions during checkout. On either the Select a shipping address or Review your order page, choose Add delivery instructions and simply say you want your package in the mailbox, on your doorstep or some other specific location.
Once three hours have passed, you’ve reduced the chance of contacting any aerosol particles from the delivery person.
This convincing extortion scam uses coronavirus fears to trick you
The coronavirus pandemic already has many of us on edge. The last thing we need to add to the mix is a bunch of criminals trying to take advantage of this dire situation.
Unfortunately, crooks have no shame and we’ve seen plenty of coronavirus-related scams making the rounds. Tap or click here for 8 tips to avoid them.
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Spring is traditionally a season for shopping. It’s filled with clearance events and heavy foot traffic for retailers. But the COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything, and shopping is no exception.
Many stores have since closed their doors to shoppers, with only grocery stores and pharmacies open as essential businesses in some states. Tap or click to see the safest way to shop for groceries during the outbreak.
5 apps to help seniors navigate the coronavirus pandemic
Things are pretty up in the air for everyone right now, thanks to COVID-19. It’s a challenging time in general, but it can be more challenging if you’re not even allowed to leave your home.
People over 70 are one of the most vulnerable groups, so you’re encouraged to be as isolated as possible. This can make anyone miserable, since it can be lonely. But safety comes first.
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Updated 03/24/2020 – YouTube announced that starting this week it will reduce the quality of video playback on its site for everyone around the globe for one month. This is an effort to ease the stress on internet networks due to the massive number of people online during the coronavirus pandemic. You can still watch videos in HD but you have to change the setting manually. We’ll tell you how to adjust this setting in the next section.
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The number of people infected with the coronavirus is growing every day. We all need to play a role in flattening the curve. Start by practicing social distancing and regularly washing your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
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Many of us are going stir crazy from practicing social distancing. As claustrophobic as it may make you feel, it’s an important step to help flatten the curve.
Even if you’re staying home as much as possible, eventually you’re going to need to go out to grab some groceries. The good news is there are safety precautions you can take to help stay protected. Tap or click here for tips on shopping safely.
8 tips to avoid coronavirus scams
We’ve seen some examples of the coronavirus pandemic bringing the best out of people as they practice social distancing, help elderly neighbors in getting supplies and make donations to those impacted most. Others, not so much.
Stressed? Try these apps to take your mind off the coronavirus pandemic
These are unusual times and people all over the country are looking for ways to decompress. But despite how claustrophobic it can feel to shelter in place, there are actually plenty of ways to open your mind and even better yourself while you’re under quarantine.
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Just a few months back, it may have seemed obsessive-compulsive to wash your hands after every interaction. But with the specter of the coronavirus looming large, hygiene is at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
Frequently cleaning your hands and devices is one of the best ways you can protect yourself. If everyone takes action to reduce the spread of germs, it can slow the creep of infection. Tap or click to see the best disinfectants you can use for your gadgets.
Coronavirus: How to grocery shop safely, online and in person
If you’re feeling a little claustrophobic these days, you’re not alone. Many Americans are practicing social distancing to help flatten the curve and slow the spreading of coronavirus, so we can relate.
But even if you’re trying to stay home more, eventually you’ll need to replenish the fridge with groceries. One way to do that is by turning to online shopping. Tap or click here for tips to navigate skyrocketing prices online.
Tax filing deadline moved to July 15 - here's the best DIY software
Updated 03/20/2020 – Since everyone is preoccupied with the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. government has decided to allow more time to file taxes. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin announced the move via Twitter. Tax Day has officially been moved from April 15 to July 15 for all taxpayers and businesses. You can take this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties. (Scroll down to see the official tweet.)
Stuck at home? Make sure your vacation property is safe without having to travel
Do you own a second home? It’s pretty common to own a vacation home or rental property. In fact, it’s estimated that nearly 7.5 million Americans do.
With coronavirus (COVID-19) fears and travel restrictions ramping up, you might not be able to take that trip you were planning anytime soon. These are strange times and you might be worried about your other property if you can’t travel there.
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Finding ways to cope with the coronavirus pandemic doesn’t have to be as difficult as some people make it seem. Following guidelines put forth by federal, state and local governments, as well as official health organizations, are key.
Note from Kim: I'm here to help you
Hello from my home,
I can’t stop thinking that I am in the middle of a movie about a sinister virus that causes a global pandemic. But this is no made-for-Hollywood screenplay. It’s real and it’s our lives.
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With the coronavirus pandemic, we’re certainly living in uncertain times. And if you have an illness or a serious allergy, you need to be prepared for emergency situations. But if an emergency occurs, you may be unable to inform someone of your medication allergies or medical conditions.
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We’re all doing our best to make it through the coronavirus pandemic and keep a positive outlook. That can be hard to do in difficult times like these.
Cybercriminals don’t help matters when they piggyback on COVID-19 fears and use them to attack unsuspecting victims. Tap or click here for a complete list of coronavirus scams to watch for.
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We’re definitely living in strange times. The coronavirus pandemic has most everyone in a panic, leading to empty grocery store shelves and a shortage on toilet paper. Not only that, but some stores are even running out of bags to pack and carry out the products and groceries you actually do find to buy.