The United States is currently in the midst of an unprecedented moment, a time when large portions of the country have been asked to stay home as much as possible. In these uncertain times, it’s natural to wonder if we’re leaving ourselves open to infection, even as we do our best to stick to public mandates and limit our contact with the outside world.
Of course, for those people worried about getting coronavirus, the question of whether germs can go through the mail in Los Angeles, CA seems crucial. Here’s your answer.
The shipping dilemma
Thanks to the rise of online retailers like Amazon, shipping and receiving packages is more a part of our daily lives than ever before. Each day, we receive boxes and envelopes holding everything from new clothes and books to household goods and even groceries. With previously unfamiliar phrases like “social distancing” making headlines, you’re not alone in wondering if that social distance means reducing the number of packages you receive, too.
Thankfully, the short answer is no: COVID-19 will likely not be lurking on any packages you receive.
The air we breathe
COVID-19 isn’t the first coronavirus that the United States has dealt with. In the past, coronaviruses that took the names SARS and MERS plagued people around the world. While COVID-19 appears to be more severe than those previous outbreaks, there is still plenty to learn from the nature of those diseases. The most important lesson, of course, is that coronaviruses like COVID-19 are most potent when moving through the air.
Once aerosolized, coronavirus can last for up to three hours. When it hits a hard surface, however, its life expectancy is much shorter.
COVID-19 and the mail
So, do germs travel in the mail in Los Angeles, CA? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it’s not something you should worry about. On its official coronavirus page, the CDC explains that the disease is most commonly spread through “respiratory droplets.”
According to the CDC, as a result, “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.”
According to researchers, COVID-19 can survive for up to 24 hours on cardboard before it dies. That means any package that takes longer than a day to get to you should be perfectly safe.
Take precautions
That said, there is no protection against a postal carrier who has been exposed to coronavirus. As a result, when you’re receiving packages, it’s best to limit personal interaction with your postal carrier.
When you receive your package, make sure to open it and dispose of the cardboard box quickly. Then, wash your hands thoroughly before handling your new product.
Trust in the Imperial standard
If you’re still wondering, “Can germs go through the mail in Los Angeles, CA?” let Imperial Paper Co. assuage your fears. For more than 35 years, we have provided the extended Los Angeles area with the best packaging and moving supplies that money can buy. Visit us online or give us a call today to find out how Imperial Paper Co. can help you through these trying times.
