Is ordering gadgets online will risk you to the Novel Coronavirus?

Due to an increasing number of suspected and confirmed people of the notorious Novel Coronavirus worldwide, fear spreads.

Safe to order or not?

Some of them are because of some myths and false information being spread online.

So, there's no better way to protect ourselves but to educate ourselves on how the virus can affect our lifestyle.

But let's focus on one issue at a time. For example, there were queries regarding the safety of shopping for electronics online from the likes of Lazada and Shopee that are shipped from China.

Those are valid concerns since you won’t want to risk your health and welfare from simply receiving a package shipped from overseas. 

To bring this issue in light, here are the facts and information that were gathered by our team which may help you decide for yourself.

How to avoid getting the virus?

3D photo of coronavirus

There's video footage that was uploaded on the World Health Organization website that explains what is the Coronavirus all about. Part of that is the preventive steps one has to take to avoid being infected, and that includes frequent hand washing. Why?

The answer was due to the fact that an infected person may spread the virus by sneezing or coughing then touching a surface or object.

But, it was pointed out that the primary transmission is person to person.

Can the virus be spread through the electronics and gadgets imported from China?

According to an article published by NBC news, it was highly unlikely since the coronaviruses usually don’t live quite long on surfaces. So then, the said viruses cannot survive the period when an item is being shipped especially if it will take weeks before delivery.

Dr. Nancy Messonnier from Centers from Disease Control (CDC) explained, "There is no evidence to support the transmission of 2019-nCoV associated with imported goods and there have not been any cases of 2019-nCoV in the United States associated with imported goods.

This statement was also supported by an interview with a professor of epidemiology on National Geographic. Dr. Arnold Monto pointed out that viruses would rather be moist, and many fade from being infectious if left dry for too long. He stated further,

To be sustained, to allow true aerosols, the virus has to be able to survive in that environment for the amount of time it’s exposed to drying, 

Most of us aware that the electronic parts are being manufactured and assembled in dry and hot surroundings. So how can the Coronavirus live on that condition? 

Aside from that logic, manufacturing companies are applying all recommended health and hygiene practices like the Taiwanese electronics giant, Foxconn. It manufactures key products for countless tech companies including Apple, and it will continue its production with precaution.

A glimpse inside the smartphone battery factory

With this information, we hope that we make you more knowledgeable if there's a risk in buying your gadget or any other electronics online.

Sources: WHO, NBC, TheVerge

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