Question: Should I treat COVID-19 samples like I do influenza when transporting specimens?

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Frequently Asked Questions: Funeral and Burial Services for American Indians and Alaska Natives
section_headers: COVID-19 and Funerals
How do you transport the body of a person who has died from COVID-19?
section_content: Follow these steps if you are involved in transporting the body of someone who
died from COVID-19:

If the body of a tribal member needs to be moved, wear disposable gloves and contain the body in a body bag, an impermeable shroud, or another impermeable covering that does not allow body fluids to leak from the enclosure. The virus that causes COVID-19 is not thought to be carried by blood (bloodborne), but leaked fluids could cause exposure to pathogens.
If a body bag is used to contain the body, disinfect the outside of the bag with an EPA-approved disinfectant for emerging viral pathogensexternal icon. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and disinfection products including concentration, application method, and contact time.
Following transport of the body, carefully remove your gloves and immediately wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
This answer contains information about transporting body of someone who died from Covid-19 not about transporting Covid-19 specimens.
This sentence is about moving a body.  The question was about moving samples.

Reviewer ratings:
Bad
Bad

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
section_headers: Specimen Packing and Shipping
Do people packing patient specimens, isolates or cultures for transport need to be trained and competent?
section_content: For transporting patient specimens, cultures or isolates, personnel must be
trained in the proper safety, packing, and shipping regulations for Division
6.2, UN 3373 Biological Substance, Category B in accordance with the current
edition of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods
Regulations (DGR)external
icon. Personnel
should be trained in a manner that corresponds to their function-specific
responsibilities.
For additional information, refer to the following:

Guidance on regulations for the transport of infectious substances 2019 – 2020pdf iconexternal icon


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
There is info about moving specimens, but it's not really a comparison as asked in the question.
This does not answer the question. This provides information on proper training for personnel who is transporting patients specimens, cultures or isolates when the question is asking about how to treat Covid-19 samples when transporting specimens.

Reviewer ratings:
Acceptable
Bad

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
section_headers: Specimen Handling
How should personnel transport suspected or confirmed SARS CoV-2 specimens within a facility?
section_content: Personnel should adhere to standard procedures associated with other
respiratory pathogens, such as seasonal influenza and other human
coronaviruses, when they transport specimens within a facility. Personnel
should perform site- and activity-specific risk assessments to determine if
enhanced biosafety precautions are warranted based on situational needs.
For additional information, refer to the following:

Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines for Handling and Processing Specimens Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Laboratory biosafety guidance related to the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).pdfpdf iconexternal icon


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
The topic of the flu specimens is brought up and there is info about moving the specimens.
This information answers the question directly. It contains explanation on how personnel should transport human coronavirus specimens within facility and to determine if enhanced biosafety precautions are necessary.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent