Just taken in a consignment of copies your new book or magazine, printed in somewhere like China or Italy? Or had curious Lovecraftian packages in the mail? Then you’ll be needing Less Wrong’s new “Comprehensive COVID-19 Disinfection Protocol for Packages and Envelopes”.

Or, rather more simply, you could just leave them in a hallway or spare room for 15 days, after which time any virus traces should theoretically be kaput — even at chilly temperatures. But it seems a freezing garage is probably not the best place to store the consignment, as such virii can go into cold storage and persist for longer. So if that’s all you have, add a low level of electric trickle-heat.

Also, some may be considering sending glossy cards/postcards to elderly and ill folk in isolation until perhaps the end of May 2020. There are such programmes starting up but they seem like a very bad idea, given the type of surfaces and the hand-contact and envelope-licking involved. Something virtual like Skype or a phone message would be better.