Since the beginning of the pandemic (and according to the advice of experts at the time), I have let our mail “air out” from the coronavirus on our patio table for several hours before bringing it inside, including boxes. Until now. After reading a recent Texas Medical Association ranking of coronavirus risks according to activities, my concern with mail is now considered low risk. So, I can open my bills a lot sooner.
With plenty of months to conduct studies, results of the rankings are interesting and surprising. From opening mail to pumping gasoline, grocery shopping, playing golf or tennis, staying at a hotel, outdoor dining, or dining at someone’s home, there is a risk level with so much that we need and want to do. Rather than freak out, we keep our exposure to a minimum in order to safeguard ourselves from catching the virus – or from spreading it to others.
It doesn’t hurt to be reminded of the latest rankings of the 37 most likely places to catch Covid-19 – from Level 1 (least) to Level 9 (most):
Level 1:
Opening the mail
Level 2:
Getting restaurant takeout
Pumping gasoline
Playing tennis
Going camping
Level 3:
Grocery shopping
Going for a walk, run or bike ride with others
Playing golf
Level 4:
Staying at a hotel for two nights
Sitting in a doctor’s waiting room
Going to a library or museum
Eating at a restaurant outside
Walking in a busy downtown
Spending an hour at a playground
Level 5:
Having dinner at someone else’s house
Attending a backyard barbecue
Going to the beach
Shopping at a mall
Level 6:
Sending kids to school, camp, or day care
Working a week in an office building
Swimming in a public pool
Visiting an elderly relative or friend in their home
Level 7:
Going to a hair salon or barbershop
Eating at a restaurant inside
Attending a wedding or funeral
Traveling by plane
Playing basketball
Playing football
Hugging or shaking hands when greeting a friend
Level 8:
Eating at a buffet
Working out at a gym
Going to an amusement park
Going to a movie theater
Level 9:
Attending a large music concert
Going to a sports stadium
Attending a religious service with more than 500 worshippers
Going to a bar
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