Coronavirus Pandemic: Efficient usage of apps like Uber and Airbnb amid social distancing

The coronavirus has stranded people in their homes for almost two weeks now. People are in quarantine to prevent the epidemic from transmitting rapidly. Although the majority of people rest in their homes, some people walk down the streets for essential services and unexpected circumstances. Apps like Uber and Airbnb are functioning to help people in need of immediate services. The riders shouldn’t avail of these services as they did before the coronavirus outbreak. If rides and travel are absolutely necessary, people must keep in mind the concept of social distancing before availing these services. 

What is social distancing? 

Social distancing is avoiding social meetings and gatherings to the maximum extent possible. Social distancing prevents transmission of infections from person to person. Researchers suggest that during this coronavirus outbreak, people should be at least six feet apart from each other. “Social distancing is the only thing we know that has the potential to blunt the curve of this pandemic,” says Nasia Safdar, the medical director of Infection Control at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics.

Ride-hailing services during the pandemic:

Ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are continuing their services despite the coronavirus outbreak. People must use these ride-hailing services only in case of emergencies. If you are in urgent need of a ride-hailing service, here are the precautions to be carried out before taking the ride.

• Cleaning the surfaces of areas like seats, handles, etc., that you’ll be actively touching. Doing so can prevent infection. 
• Following the nation’s protocol like washing your hands using an alcohol-based sanitizer or a soap before, during, and after an activity can curb the transmission from spreading.

 Drivers must be provided with alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Frequent usage of hand sanitizers can prevent this pandemic. A gentle reminder to people that these ride-hailing services must be used only when necessary.

What should one do before availing a home-sharing service?

People are hibernating in their homes. But when an unavoidable situation pops up, they are forced to come out of their quarantine. Apps like Airbnb are providing home-sharing services, even during the epidemic. A simple precautionary measure before reserving a home-sharing service is to check the intensity of the disease in a particular area.

Activities include,

• Assessing the place for cleanliness
• Cleaning the common areas of usage with disinfectant wipes must be carried out beforehand.
• Disinfecting everyday objects like phones, wallets that are used in all environments must be done.

Apps like Airbnb have lifted the cancellation charges levied on bookings made on or before March 14 with a check-in date of April 14 or earlier. A full refund amount is paid to the cancelled booking.

Food delivery services – dos and don’ts:

The food-delivery business has seen a surge in their services after the coronavirus outbreak. People fear walking out of their homes and demand doorstep services. Washing hands before and after contact with the delivery professional can curb the infection. Contactless delivery options can be followed. People may direct delivery professionals to place the delivery at the prescribed place in front of their homes. This reduces the chance of transmission between the people and delivery professionals.  This is of the best interest to both people and delivery persons. 

Aggressive hand hygiene can prevent the virus from spreading. Preventive maintenance is the primary need of the panic-stricken society. 

By social distancing, people are less exposed to the victims of the outbreak. The services like Uber and Airbnb are functioning just to help the needy. People must stay in quarantine unless and otherwise necessary. Carrying out proper safety measures beforehand can curb the transmission of this fatal virus. “High touch” surfaces in any activity like steering wheel, seats, packing of food are to be cleaned before and after usage to avoid transmission. The efficient usage of the apps can help us defeat the outbreak. 

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Marketing is my soul mate and writing is my side kick. Using my writing skills to share the knowledge of app development and upcoming technologies.