Page 7 - NJ Cooperator Summer 2020

NJCOOPERATOR.COM THE NEW JERSEY COOPERATOR — SUMMER 2020 7 Looking for a NJ Property Management company that takes as much pride in your prop- erty as you do? Tired of being underserved and overcharged? With decades of experience, our team of experts is committed to providing superior service for properties of all sizes. Your Home is Our Priority! our Home is Our Priority! Superior Service * Communication * Transparency * Technology Y Call for a free Quote 888-315-7773 www.denalipm.com the relocation of the attendant's desk to po- sition it in front of the planned updated stor- age area. According to Lauren, keeping the The company then confirms with the pack- attendant’s station close to the storage area age recipient via email, text, or app notifica- is a priority in planning storage space, since tion that a package has been delivered. neither the residents nor the doormen or concierge want to abandon the security sta- tion to fetch packages. What If There’s No Doorman? Neil Golub, director of sales for Carson mitted extended to the possibility of people or object that has the virus on it and then with these surfaces is just as important—and Living, Inc., a New York-based firm that picking up the infection from surfaces—in- provides resident services for smaller and cluding envelopes, boxes, and other mail their eyes, but this is not thought to be the handle packages. Washing your hands will non-doorman apartment buildings, ex- plains that there are options for all types of coronavirus can survive on cardboard, plas- properties, even those without staff. “For tic, or other ma- older buildings,” he says, “we deal with some terials have been space challenges. For small walk-up proper- ties we suggest a very cutting-edge turnkey as more informa- solution. We create a cage with controlled tion has become access and an electrified lock which is inte- grated with Carson’s systems. We can auto- matically open it when there is a delivery.” Because of those space limitations, Golub abundance of cau- says these units are compact and efficient; tion is still likely they can be located under a stairwell, for in- stance. Once the units are installed and op- erational, delivery people use a communica- tions pad at the front door to request access. safe as possible. Carson provides entrance to the building, instructs them where to drop the package, Control and Prevention (CDC) does not necessary for most people’s handling of most and provides access to the storage cabinet. explicitly recommend disinfecting pack- The COVID Factor When the novel coronavirus first gained as possible. According to guidelines on evator button...the shared doorknob on the a foothold in the US in February 2020, con- cerns over how exactly the virus was trans- packaging. While concerns over how long main way the virus spreads.” somewhat calmed known about how it does (and does not) behave, an the best way to operate in order to keep both building staff and residents as vulnerabilities—dispose of outer packaging ing for over 20 years, and reports—consis- For its part, the Centers for Disease the CDC does note that “this is likely not ages, but rather advises anyone in con- tact with so-called ‘high touch’ surfaces to picking up your package, you may be to wash their hands frequently, and to touching a number of things that qualify as minimize interpersonal contact as much ‘frequently touched surfaces,’ such as an el- cdc.gov, “It may be possible that a person front door, or the stylus that you use to sign can get COVID-19 by touching a surface for a package. Being aware of your contact touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly maybe more important—than the way you The Occupational Safe- ty and Health Administra- tion (OSHA) has taken a similar position, advising on the front line when it comes to manag- both package handlers ing the ever-increasing volume of packages and recipients to wash arriving daily at our buildings. their hands after coming in contact with packaging, concierge at a condominium building about and suggesting that recipi- ents in higher-risk groups concierge and the building’s board and —such as older people, management requested anonymity out of those with immune system consideration for residents' privacy.) compromises, and other outside of their homes if possible, though tent with the observations of several other cardboard packages.” The CDC also notes that “on the way help reduce the risk of infection from sur- faces like doorknobs, too.” Staff Safety Clearly, doorpersons and concierges are The New Jersey Cooperator was able to speak with a how they handle the avalanche. (Both the This concierge has been with the build- “What was appropri- ate 10 years ago is no longer sufficient for most buildings.” — Susan Lauren continued on page 16