Sending flowers for Mother's day had been a norm for almost everyone. It means expressing one's love and appreciation towards their mothers. In trying times like this, is sending flowers and delivering them safe?
Experts contemplate the risks of floral deliveries during the pandemic.
Considering the supply chain
The questions about safety lie for whom. Is it for the buyer, the mother, the merchant, or the grower?
An associate professor of epidemiology at the University of North Carolina and lead author of the American Public Health Association's code of ethics, named Jim Thomas, said that ordering online seems antiseptic. He explains that people only touch their keyboards. However, there are a lot of interactions in the supply chain for those ordered flowers to be delivered - all of them an opportunity for transmission between one another.
Brian Labus, a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' School of Public Health, said that sending your mom flowers is no different from the risk of sending her gifts from an online retailer or having a nice meal from a restaurant delivered. Labus added that if you are avoiding food deliveries and nonessential packages, skipping flower deliveries may be wise for the same reasons.
Keeping deliveries contactless (as much as possible)
If flower deliveries cannot be helped, and you insist on giving your mother such packages, you may want to consider having those deliverers as contactless as possible.
When you place your order, have and request the delivery person to leave the flowers on the porch or just outside the door or front gate; it depends on the recipient's living situation.
Labus noted that touchless delivery minimizes the contact with the person making the delivery which eliminates the risk.
Have your trusted florist
Various types of florists are still offering deliveries during the pandemic. Labus mentioned that the risks are the same with local and national services, especially because many of the national services partner with local florists.
However, if you work and purchase with a local florist, it will be easier for you to discuss their delivery options and be assured that the flowers can be left outside the door without having to sign it.
Hand-washing is advised
It is important to take note that hand-washing is essential especially during the pandemic.
Once your mom received the flowers, placed them in a vase, she can exercise caution by washing her hands.
For extra precaution, Khubchandani suggested staying away from the flowers for at least one to two hours and wearing gloves or a plastic bag while handling them. And if the flowers are already arranged in a vase or other holder, it is advisable to wipe it down with bleach.
Skipping flowers this year is OK
With health and safety risks, you should not be pressured to order any nonessential deliveries right now, including floral arrangements.
The pandemic is making us rethink many things. This is an opportunity to think more about our options, and about our other purchases that are more meaningful.
Finally, keep social distancing. After all, the health of everyone is our utmost priority.
