Is it possible to get coronavirus from a parcel from AliExpress

What we now know about the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus

Here are all the data that can be important in the context of receiving parcels.

1. Coronavirus is transmitted, including through contact and household

Like other respiratory infections, SARS-CoV-2 is spread primarily by airborne droplets Novel Coronavirus 2019: FAQ - when an infected person coughs and sneezes. It is assumed that the infection occurs through close contact. And they are usually defined as Frequently Asked Questions About SARS: communication at a distance of less than a meter with an infected person, kisses and hugs, direct physical contact. However, according to some new data, Coronavirus can travel twice as far as official ‘safe distance’ and stay in air for 30 minutes, Chinese study finds, sometimes the virus spreads up to 4.5 meters. However, going for a walk in the open air or staying in the same room for a short time does not count as close communication.

Another transmission route is contact-household. The virus, which is released by sneezing, for example, can accumulate on surrounding surfaces and remain infectious for some time. You touched an infected handrail on public transport, then ran the same hand over your mouth, nose or eyes - and the infection was able to enter your body. To reduce the risks, experts from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization strongly recommend Interim Guidance for Preventing 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from Spreading to Others in Homes and Communities:

Wash hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol).
Avoid sharing household items - dishes, towels, bedding - with a person suspected of having a viral infection.
Daily and thoroughly clean all high-touch surfaces such as counters, countertops, doorknobs, plumbing fixtures, phones, keyboards, tablets.

The contagiousness of SARS-CoV-2, including its ability to be transmitted through household contact, is still not entirely clear.

Judging by the close relatives of the Wuhan coronavirus - atypical pneumonia (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) - the spread of infection occurs mainly not through contact with household, but through airborne droplets during personal communication with an already sick person.

2. The Wuhan virus is not able to live long outside the human body

As a rule, viruses do not live long outside the human body, and this also applies to SARS-CoV-2. The closest relative of the Wuhan coronavirus, the SARS causative agent SARS-CoV, retains Frequently Asked Questions About SARS infectiousness for several days. Common flu is contagious with INFLUENZA (FLU) Cleaning to Prevent the Flu 48 hours. HIV dies HIV INFORMATION within a few hours.

Experts analyzed the Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents, the survival rate of SARS-CoV-2 on different types of surfaces. And they found out that he remains viable for no more than 3-4 days. At the same time, SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2 survives on plastic for the longest time - about 72 hours. It remains infectious for up to 50 hours on stainless steel, and up to 24 hours on cartons.

Is it possible to get coronavirus from a parcel from AliExpress

Based on the data listed above, no. Even if the virus is somehow "sealed" in the package, it will die within a few hours to 4 days.

This is a rare case when the longer the package travels from AliExpress, the better.

Additional factors:

WHO Novel Coronavirus Ooutbreak In China: What Does It Mean For Europe did not impose any restrictions on trade with China.
China Post informs 关于对武汉进出口邮件实施紧急措施的公告 that it compulsory disinfection of postal items and vehicles from Wuhan and local order centers for security purposes.
AliExpress representatives insist that the risks of contamination of parcels from Aliexpress are assessed that parcels from China are absolutely safe.
Rospotrebnadzor also says Rospotrebnadzor assured that the coronavirus from China is not transmitted through parcels, that the virus from Wuhan is not transmitted through mail.

In general, according to current information, the parcels can still be considered safe. So indulge yourself with shopping: there is evidence from the Happiness and Your Immune System that joy boosts immunity and makes the body more resistant to viral attack.

What to do if parcels from China are scary

Just wipe the received things, pour boiling water over the dishes, wash the clothes. However, these hygienic rules should always be observed, and not only in the midst of epidemics.

For those who want to protect themselves as much as possible, scientists give an expanded Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and its inactivation with biocidal agents information. According to them, the coronavirus on the surface of objects can be destroyed with a solution of ethanol 62-71%, hydrogen peroxide 0.5% or sodium hypochlorite 0.1%. These disinfectants must remain on the surface for at least 1 minute.

The life hacker continues to monitor the spread and characteristics of the Wuhan coronavirus. If anything changes, we will let you know.