We are living in a time when industries have halted their operations, people have lost their livelihoods, and survival on loans for unemployed has become a need.
That is the year 2020, so far, it has not been great for anyone; a tragic year would be a more apt description. And I am sure all of you would agree with me. A new year is supposed to bring a sense of euphoria, but 2020 brought a sense of doom.
The reason for the doom and the tragedy is the COVID-19 pandemic. Frankly, when I first heard about it, I thought it was similar to the seasonal flu. And when I got to know that its mortality rate is less than 2%, I was not worried at all. However, that was not the case. This virus is ten times more deadly than the seasonal flu, which takes the lives of half a million people on the planet every year. With close to a quarter of a million dead, we are slowly nearing that number. And there is a possibility that we may even surpass it since over 3.85 million are the already infected.
With no vaccine in sight, the only precaution is social distancing. And consequently, we are forced to stay in lockdown until the pandemic wanes. The numbers are pointing towards an extended quarantine. Staying locked inside does not mean we can lock our needs as well. We have a shop, but going out is not an option. So what do we do? We shop online. Is that safe? Probably, not. But there is no other option for us. We have to find ways to make it safe.
Here are the four most vital things that you need to consider while shopping from online avenues.
1. Shop from Renowned Websites
Our safety is our priority. We can never compromise with it. So choosing a sub-standard online retailer or even the second-best should not be an option. The lesser-known ones do not have goodwill that would be tarnished, but the renowned websites, like Amazon, do. The goodwill is their reputation that makes a seller lures the buyer in. Without it, the business cannot flourish too much. So, the eminent online sellers would ensure that both the products and the delivery are not contaminated with the virus. Hence, from them can be considered safer than the rest.
2. Know the Site’s Safety Precautions
Just trusting a renowned name does not guarantee that you may not catch the virus from your purchase. Thoroughly going through the website or application’s safety measures is the key that will assure you. Domino’s is a top-rated pizza delivery service that is operational in numerous countries. If you go through the website, you would understand what I am talking about. They have been doing the following;
- They have mandated that the entire work washes their hands as frequently as possible.
- Wearing gloves for the chefs was already a compulsion, now everyone has to wear them along with masks at the workplace.
- They prioritise contactless deliveries that would keep you safe and protect their team as well.
- The temperature of each person working at Domino’s is measured at the start of each shift to ensure that they are not sick. A slight hike would mean they are sent back home.
If such measures are taken by the website you are thinking about ordering from, only then should you order.
3. Make Online Payments Only
You may already be aware that this virus spreads from touch and being in close contact with an infected person, who may not even know that they have the virus. Hence, social distancing was implemented. Now, paying the delivery agent with cash, who would then give you back the change, is against the very principle of social distancing. So, you should only shop online when you have the capacity of making an online transaction for your purchase. Because if by any chance you are infected, and you infect the delivery guy, not only would he lose his job, but he would also contaminate the tens and hundreds of people he would deliver in the next few days.
4. Sanitise the Delivered Goods Before Use
Lastly, after you have received the package you had ordered, do not use it immediately.
- You have to sanitise it thoroughly before opening it.
- You can even put it in sunlight for a few hours if it is not a food item.
Coronavirus can stay on some surfaces for over 10 hours. Objects made of copper will only tolerate the virus for as long as 3 to 4 hours, plastic and steel are different stories. So, wiping the delivered product clean of the virus is paramount for your safety and that of your family’s.
Winding Up
In the end, all I want to say that thinking that you cannot buy anything online is not entirely correct. You can buy anything that you wish to. However, you need to be supremely carefully to avoid being caught by the virus. If possible, do not buy prepared food online, you can never be sure. Buying groceries, clothes and furniture can be considered the more prudent options.
Additionally, if you use medical marijuana you can also buy bongs or vapes at an online headshop, safely from the comfort of your home.
