Amazon Customers React After Another Delivery Station Employee Tests Positive for Coronavirus

Michael Hein

03/24/2020 11:27 am EDT

Early on Tuesday morning, Amazon confirmed that an employee in Houston, Texas, had tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. According to a report by local NBC News affiliate Click 2 Houston, the affected worker was on the management team. They are now in quarantine and recovering from their symptoms.

Naturally, this news hit people all over the country with a fresh wave of fear. Many worried that their Amazon packages might be able to carry the virus from places around the world. According to the Center of Disease Control, however, that is very unlikely. So far, no cases have been linked to contact with packages, and researchers found that the virus only survived for 24 hours on a cardboard box.

Still, the news did not sit well with many people, and there were other things to be anxious about. Many worried about the employee, and the others they had worked with, given the virus' relatively high mortality rate compared to other viruses.

Others worried about the community itself, and the larger structure of Amazon, which has become vital for delivering goods to people in self-isolation.

Here is what Twitter has to say about the COVID-19 case in a Houston Amazon facility.

Quarantine

First up, many Houston locals were relieved to hear that the person infected with COVID-19 was in quarantine. They were also pleased by reports that the person was recovering, and that others who had been in contact with them were being observed as well.

Ripple Effect

Still, many people's minds raced straight to the ripple effect this case could have — on customers, on other employees and even on other facilities.

No More Orders

Some users decided right then and there to stop placing orders on Amazon for fear of contracting the virus. Others corrected them, letting them know that experts said it was still safe to accept deliveries.

Transmissability

The news did lead to a wider discussion about how the coronavirus is transmitted, however, and what kind of interactions are safe. Some people still recommended washing deliveries when they arrived out of an abundance of caution.

Insiders

Some users claiming they worked at Amazon in Houston gave users an inside account of how the company is handling the outbreak. They criticized Amazon for not providing hand sanitizer, wipes and other sanitary products to protect employees as much as possible on the job. Some also said that the case came from one of Amazon's smaller intermediary facilities, not Houston's main fulfillment center.

'Stay Home'

A few people lashed out at the infected employee themselves, saying that they should have stayed home if they were getting sick. Of course, this is one of the unique things about COVID-19 — people can carry the virus for up to two weeks without symptoms, yet they remain contagious the whole time.

For the Money

Finally, there was debate among Amazon employees about staying home through the virus, but many said they could not turn down the money. They pointed to the raised wages Amazon was offering due to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the overtime. They hoped that their personal protective equipment would see them through.

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