The latest news out of Ontario about the pandemic is promising. Overall, new cases and deaths in the province continue to decline. However, as the province moves deeper into Stage 3 of the COVID-19 reopening plan, it’s important to avoid complacency.
Now more than ever, everyone needs to follow safety protocols. This includes continuing to observe social distancing rules, using personal protective equipment such as masks, face shields, and gloves as necessary, and following sanitizing procedures.
At R Courier, we’re one of the most trusted names in parcel delivery and medical courier services, with over 29 years of experience serving the medical community. One of the biggest reasons why customers trust R Courier medical courier services is that we pay attention to safety.
For example, not only are our couriers trained to be professional, friendly, and polite, but they keep themselves, their consignments, and other drivers safe by not taking any risks on the road. Moreover, R Courier is fully licensed in Transportation of Dangerous Goods. This allows our couriers to deliver radioactive samples or biohazardous items such as COVID-19 test samples.
Our drivers are also trained and equipped to use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep themselves, their families, and their clients safe. This gear helps prevent the spread of COVID-19, which can be asymptomatic yet highly contagious.
Aside from the use of PPE, a great way to minimize the spread of the virus is to reduce in-person contact through social distancing. It’s wise to keep a distance of at least 2 meters from others as much as possible.
R Courier also relies on technology to keep in-person contact to a minimum for the many shipping services we offer to our customers. For example, customers can place orders and track deliveries using the advanced GPS services on our website.
While our couriers follow every safety precaution, we still encourage our clients to wear PPE when receiving packages. Once a package is received, we recommend that our clients disinfect it and wash their hands immediately after opening their parcel. If it’s not an urgent consignment, clients can leave their packages in an isolated place for 24 hours. Studies suggest that the virus doesn’t survive on most surfaces for more than a day.
Various data also suggests that masks may be the key to winning the fight against COVID-19. For example, a recent study from a team from Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, California Institute of Technology, and the University of California San Diego analyzed the various mitigation measures put in place in three major centers of the COVID-19 outbreak.
They determined that the virus travels predominantly through respiratory aerosols and that face masks are the likely major determinant of how the infection spreads or slows.
Another study from the University of Mainz, Germany, found that masks can reduce the spread of COVID-19 by as much as 40%. It compared the city of Jena, which was an early adopter of masks, with other parts of Germany where masks were adopted much later. While the outbreak continued to spread in other parts of Germany, new infections in the municipality of 108,000 almost disappeared.
Likewise, hand sanitizers can cut the risk of COVID-19 by reducing the spread of microorganisms. However, it’s important to avoid hand sanitizers that contain Methanol. This is a toxic alcohol that can result in nausea, vomiting, and headaches. In extreme cases, it has caused blindness, seizures, and damage to the nervous systems of its users.
Health Canada recommends that you use a good alcohol-based sanitizer only if soap and water is not available. They recommend that you regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the washroom or before preparing food.
When we all do our part in the fight against COVID-19, we reduce the chances of a second outbreak. Feel free to call us for any questions about our services or the safety measures we follow to protect you and your medical parcel.
