Unfortunately, most of the knowledge of covid relating to household moving is anecdotal or based on rumor. The method of transmission and prevention of infection is not precisely known. We do know that covid-19 is airborne. Masks (N95, possibly others) and social distancing (though the length of distance is now questioned) have been found to be effective. Curiously, most of the time all masks are considered equal, but, of course, they are not. Social tracing proceeds on the supposition that covid is most likely transmitted by a 10 minute close, verbal interaction between two people. There is not much else known for certain about scientific particulars. For example, whether the disease can be transmitted by viruses picked up from household objects is not clear, is becoming, at least anecdotally, accepted.

Moving company websites have advertised that their men wear masks and gloves, and try to maintain “social distance”. This is fine but not really enough. Masks vary greatly in effectiveness, and many moving companies, just like committed joggers, are now ready to admit that under physical duress, it is simply impossible to be always wearing a mask. Men should be encouraged to take short breaks after heavy exertion. What is not often pointed out is this: the customer should always be wearing a mask and that mask should be N-(95), or KN95. Brownstone Brothers Moving will supply such masks to customers if they need them. It would be helpful to work with smaller moving crews rather than moving crews larger than 6 men, for example. To summarize:

The proven facts about covid transmission are few.

The standard techniques many other moving companies use presently are insufficient and inconsistently carried out.
The customer should depend on his own personal safety measures.
These measures should include an N-95 mask and also social distancing whenever possible.

In fact, Brownstone has been working right through the pandemic with no cases reported of infection among movers or customers.

Still have questions or concerns? Get in touch!

Phone: (718) 665-5000

Email: info@brownstonebros.com

People who are moving are often surprised at how much is involved in packing. Packing, in fact, is the central and most difficult part of moving. From a mover’s point of view while it is easy to move a couch, but more concentration and care must be taken with packing.

Why is this? Of course, crystal is more expensive and delicate, pound for pound. But, further, to pack a box full of crystal involves maybe’ a hundred separate steps. Moving a couch requires less than a dozen. The layperson's idea of packing, if not thought out, is simply to cover the item with paper. But in fact, the main concept in packing for a professional is to PAD things. Items such as crystal, plates, and serving platters must be padded to protect them from their neighbors and padded against the sides of the box in which they are ensconced. As a rule of thumb, crystal and other fine dishware should be padded to the extent that the box in which contains them could be dropped say 6” without anything inside being disturbed.

For this to be possible, much more paper, usually rolled or twisted, needs to be involved than anyone might first guess. For example, a professional might use a 25-lb bundle of unprinted newspaper to pack three or four big cartons (say, 20” high each). At first glance, this seems a terrible waste of energy and materials. Not so for a professional packer whose aim, from the layman’s point of view, is to overpack. Only by overpacking are delicate items made safe, so if you pack yourself, try to overpack. If you hire movers to pack, you should make sure they are not “saving” on paper and boxes. The time, energy and materials required are always more than you might expect.

Need more advice on packing? Get in touch!

Phone: (718) 665-5000

Email: info@brownstonebros.com

Protect Yourself From Covid During Your Move

The Secret Of Packing