Messaging Matters.
@US_FDA: "Again, there is no evidence of food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19. However, if you wish, you can wipe down product packaging and allow it to air dry, as an extra precaution."
Wrong message. (A thread)
@US_FDA: "Again, there is no evidence of food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19. However, if you wish, you can wipe down product packaging and allow it to air dry, as an extra precaution."
Wrong message. (A thread)
(2/6) This is one of the problems with using academic language in a public facing way. We will NEVER design the life-risking study to provide causal "evidence" that a carrier of the virus handles a package >> virus falls on surface >> contaminates person and makes humans sick. 
(3/6)...but we all know how Coronavirus spreads at this point (I hope) including but not limited to contaminated surfaces. I make NO assumptions about what is (or is not) happening to my package before it arrives at my doorstep.
(4/6)...and the @US_FDA recognizes there is SOME risk to packaging. Research shows Coronavirus lives on cardboard (24h) and plastic (up to 3days). It's why they recommend we wash our hands for 20s before and AGAIN AFTER putting away our groceries.
(5/6) Ambiguously, @US_FDA suggests wiping down groceries "if we wish" as "an extra precaution" because they don't have "evidence" then news outlets relay this to the public as "No need to wipe down food packaging during coronavirus pandemic...", a potentially deadly re-framing.
(6/6) On the frontlines, a heartbreaking story of a reclusive older woman who died from COVID-19. Her only contact w/the outside world for weeks? Food delivery service. People are dying. Messaging matters. Wipe down your packages to help reduce your risk...and do better, @US_FDA)
