Instacart - DoorDash, GrubHub, and UberEats - Delivery Article
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From privatemsg trands
Are couriers are more at risk of catching Covid-19?
Dr Thomas Tsai, infectious diseases expert: The Covid-19 virus is borne by droplets transmitted through, for example, coughing and sneezing. There is a unique challenge for food delivery couriers who are potentially traveling between multiple sites: from restaurants and from house to house. Especially if they are making deliveries to families who are in quarantine
If the no-contact approach makes for too impersonal an interaction, keeping some distance (3-6ft, arm’s length if both delivery person and recipient extend their arms?) is an alternative to consider. Delivery people should be washing their hands or using a suitable hand sanitizer after making deliveries. Along with healthcare and law enforcement/fire personnel, that may be a good group for more intensive testing.
Is coronavirus transmissible via food or food containers?
Tsai: The early evidence suggests that the virus is inactivated by heat. So I think cooked foods minimize the risk of any transmission from the food itself.
I don’t have any data to be able to say yes or no regarding food containers. But again, I think it’s a good idea until we get more information to still
But again, I think it’s a good idea until we get more information to still maintain some vigilance. So it’s not a bad idea to wash your hands before you look through containers and potentially to wipe down some of the exterior surfaces. That’s erring on the side of caution. But I think in this time of uncertainty, it’s the prudent thing to do.
Is it ethical to order food online?
Carissa Véliz, ethicist: Society always relies on a minority of people to carry out risky or unpleasant jobs that not everyone is willing to do. To be ethical, ideally, those people should be paid more than others who have more comfortable jobs.
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