While online shopping is literally saving part of our economy, more and more people are wondering about the risks related to home deliveries during the pandemic. We have good news for you! We did our research and learned that several experts spoke out on the subject last week and came to the following conclusion: If you follow a few simple guidelines, you will be right to feel safe.
We'd like to take this opportunity to let you know that we miss you! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support, we can't wait to see you later this summer. In the meantime, remember that TOGETHER, we will succeed at flattening the curve! Respect the social distancing instructions, wash your hands and stay at home.
Imagine that you are in the middle of a lake in a motor boat and just ran out of gas. Even If the shore is close enough to make you think you can easily swim the distance, the safest way to get to shore remains the paddles. This is what we want to offer you through this article, paddles to allow you to keep shopping without worries if you feel like it.
With that in mind, we decided to collect the most relevant information concerning surface transmission to build a simple routine that will allow you to keep control over the virus. Our goal is simply to give you tools to ensure your peace of mind when it comes to deliveries. Because even if we say that the risks are slim, there are ways to slim them down even more!
Before we get down to business, we would like to share a recent quote from Bruce Aylward, a renowned Canadian epidemiologist and leading figure in the World Health Organization (WHO) during the Coronavirus Pandemic. A quote that’s very reassuring for consumers, but which also represents a glimpse of hope for online businesses of the world.
"Remember, viruses can only survive in human cells or the living cells of an animal or human. As soon as it's out a virus is dying, it's not replicating anymore. So, the amount of virus is dropping very, very fast. Within a couple of hours, it's gone to low levels. In your day-to-day life, that's not a problem."
* Quote from an interview for the World Economic Forum (WEF) published on March 28 on www.weforum.org.
Check out the full interview here →
Respect social distancing rules when your order gets delivered
Obviously! Delivery services and store warehouses are doing miracles to ensure sanitary excellence in their practices right now. Out of respect for yourself, your deliverers and people working at warehouses, follow the distance instructions! If your package is delivered to your home, let the delivery person drop it outside and give them time to leave. We want to remind you that the risks are small, but taking precautions has never hurt anyone! (For those who like to chat with their postman, don't worry, we'll see them again soon!)
If your package is sent to the post office, you just have to go there and to follow the same social distancing guidelines that you've been following for two weeks when you go out. You should start to know them well at that point. In short, stand two meters away from others and do not touch your face until you come home and wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds. Needless to say, if you feel sick, stay at home and ask someone else to pick up your package.
Handle your package with extra care
Before you start handling your package, remember that between the moment you touch an object coming from outside and the moment you wash your hands for 20 seconds, you should never touch your face!
We know that the virus only transmits through the mouth, nose and eyes, so hold your box, bag or envelope away from your face! Same thing as your hands. Not rocket science so far.
Isolate OR disinfect your package
At this stage, you have two options: disinfect or isolate your package for a few days. Both methods are good, depending on the products you have ordered.
Disinfecting your purchases is a good solution if you don't want to wait, but since washing a brand new skateboard deck with water or applying disinfectant on your new t-shirt is not recommended, it becomes more interesting to wait until the ambient air has killed the virus by isolating your package.
If you can wash it, go for it. If you can’t, wait it out. Either way, always remember not to touch your face until you have washed your hands with soap for 20 seconds.
The final step: Wash your hands
Whether you decided to isolate your package or disinfect it, the only risk from now on is your own hands. No stress, just wash them and the problem will be solved. Before doing so, make sure products/package manipulation is all done.
Go to the nearest sink and wash your hands with soap for a minimum of 20 seconds using the method presented below. * Note that the process should be the same whenever an external element comes into contact with you.
If you have decided to isolate your package, wait a minimum of 48 hours before removing it from its isolation. As the virus quickly becomes weak on outdoor surfaces, the more time you give it, the less risks you take.
Again, if you want to avoid waiting, know that it's just as safe to wash your package upon receipt, but please take the time to properly disinfect it. The most important thing to remember is not to touch your face until you have finished disinfecting your stuff and washed your hands for 20 seconds. Pretty easy. Alcool based disinfectant also works, but if you don't have it, water and soap work just fine too!
That’s it! Now you can go enjoy your purchases stress free!
Remember that buying on your local skateshop's online store is helping to support the main pillars of the industry we love so much. We consider ourselves lucky to be part of such a tightly knit community and together, we will get through this, that's a promise.