Just How Safe Are Amazon, UPS, FedEx Deliveries?
Read Time:2 Minute, 36 Second
Amazon, UPS, and FedEx are grappling with some scary new realities as the coronavirus adds to their workload and affects their business practices. For example, 12 UPS drivers across nine states are saying the company doesn’t protect them or its customers.
They tell NBC News that UPS hasn’t given drivers protective gear (like masks or gloves) or established rules for keeping a safe distance from customers. Hand sanitizer would be nice too, they say, and while UPS does advise hand-washing, it’s not really doable on delivery routes.
“I mean, we’re at high risk,” says a driver in Fresno, Calif. “It’s not a matter of if, but when somebody gets sick.”
For more from Newser:
- Amazon: Amazon has confirmed its first known coronavirus case at a US facility. Workers at a Queens, NY, warehouse were texted Wednesday about the development, which the Atlantic calls “a major threat to Amazon’s operations. Millions of people across the nation are cloistered inside their homes, many of them relying on the company to provide basic goods.”
- Reopened: Amazon closed the Queens warehouse for a day, put the worker in quarantine, and says it’s practicing “enhanced daily deep cleaning” at its workplaces. But Vox reports that a local workers group isn’t happy: “This facility is compromising our health and the health of the whole city,” tweets Amazonians United New York City.
- Fedex: A FedEx worker in Memphis is at home recovering after testing positive for the virus, WREG reports. The company says it has closed the office “for a thorough cleaning and disinfecting.”
- Amazon & the CDC: Workers at two big Amazon biggest fulfillment centers around Seattle say they’re still not being checked for coronavirus symptoms, despite CDC recommendations, per the Seattle Times. They also say CDC advice on social distancing is being ignored.
- UPS customers: While FedEx and UPS drivers are wary of customers, the reverse also holds true. The Wall Street Journal reports that customers are asking drivers if they might be infected and even requiring a health test before they step inside. Meanwhile, UPS has dropped its old signature process; drivers now step back while customers sign a document stuck on their door. And yes, customers use their own pen.
- Amazon supplies: Snopes throws hot water on the notion that Amazon is stopping all deliveries besides medical supplies. In fact, the retail giant has only stopped third-party sellers from storing and shipping non-essential items until April 5. Amazon is still selling all items provided they remain in stock.
- Amazon hiring: Amazon is facing an “unprecedented surge” in orders and hiring 100,000 new workers, CNBC reports.
For customers, the person who touches your package last is likely your delivery person, and it’s in everyone’s best interest to make sure they’re staying healthy. The virus can survive on cardboard for up to 24 hours, but if you’re careful to wash your hands vigorously, after touching packaging, and be careful not to touch your face, you should be fine.
In case you missed it: Don’t be Misled—Coronavirus Is Not Like the Flu—Prepare
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I have a small portable steam cleaner I used to use to sanitize things and clean the barbecue grill. I’m going to try using it on boxes, thinking steam kills about everything.
My boyfriend has been giving me all these tips about do this do that do the other if you want to stay safe. I am pretty certain the words, come with me if you want to live will come out of his mouth soon, Terminator style.
Bill, come on man don’t leave it way open for me when you talk about retrieving your package, and boxes by your back door It’s right there in the sentences 😉 Come on that’s just wrong.
Jess, I love you dearly but I have no life right now. Before this shit I was at least able to go to dinner and have a craft beer or go down to the local rec center to their therapy pool and hit on the hot 20 y/o girls they are using for life guards. (Yeah, I know, dirty old man. But I turn 77 next month and my days of enjoying my physical being are, by default, growing fewer). Now the only workout I get is walking down this road I live on that has no sidewalk and play dare with the good old boys flying by in their trucks. And, of course, figure out how to play with my packages.
By the way, about the comment I made about the hot life guards, I am always a gentleman and hit on the with the greatest respect possible. 🙂 Actually, They are all great people and we cut up and have a good time. But I will tell you that in times of crisis we must re-learn the art developing ways to enjoy ourselves alone once again. I don’t have Rascal to keep me company any more.
Actually, I have received a couple of packages from Amazon and Walmart via fedex and the driver put on his gloves just to retrieve my packages. One of the packages was a bunch of hand sanitizers. I have a place that I open boxes at my back door. I just dump the boxes out and wipes the contents down with sanitizers and put them on a table. It is not foolproof but I rest easier anyway. Then I go wash my hands. My mother would be proud with all the hand washing I am doing these days. I may not live any longer doing all this but maybe I won’t die such a miserable death.
I had a bad feeling about this. Thank you for posting.
I think about it every time I open an Amazon delivery like I’m going to do in like 5 minutes! I will use my gloves 🙂
I get really nervous about opening packages as well Susan. It seems like this virus is everywhere and we don’t have a chance.