Can You Get Coronavirus From the Mail?

[prwhite]

The USPS is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and continues to follow strategies and measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and public health departments. The CDC, the World Health Organization and the Surgeon General have indicated that there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 is being spread through the mail.

Mail is an essential service for purposes of compliance with state & municipality shelter-in-place orders and other social distancing restrictions, notably:

• Delivering medications,
• Social security checks, and
• The leading delivery service for on-line purchases.

The CDC has not issued a formal alert addressing mail or commercial deliveries however, over the past 24 hours, reports state that researchers at the National Institutes of Health have raised concerns that the COVID-19 virus can remain airborne for several hours and active on surfaces including cardboard for a day or longer.

While such studies indicate a potential increase in risk, the probability of contracting COVID-19 through the handling of mail—which has been in the standard mail stream for several days—remains low, provided the handler follows common sense personal protective protocols.

USPS VOWS TO REMAIN OPEN AS ESSENTIAL SERVICE

 

[kansasquaker]

That doesn't exactly make me feel warm and fuzzy about sending out mail projects.

 

[truehue]

Cardboard for a day, and I believe I read somewhere that plastic was a little longer than that. Sending projects out wouldn't be the problem, the uncertainty lies with receiving packages. I've been setting all my packages on fire before I open them.

 

[gordo]

Direct mail advertising is now direct infecting. Gives new meaning to viral marketing.

 

[prwhite]

Direct mail advertising is now direct infecting.

This is the not what the CDC and WHO are finding, unless your direct mailers are cardboard, then possibly.

 

[smalloffsetpressexperts]

Watch on amazon prime or what media. 1984 is the movie and chilling to watch now.
Director: Michael Radford
Writers: George Orwell (novel), Michael Radford
Stars: John Hurt, Richard Burton, Suzanna Hamilton | See full cast & crew »

Great book too

 

[PricelineNegotiator]

Or you can read the book. It's pretty short.

 

[kdw75]

The 24hours on cardboard was in laboratory conditions. They said that in the real world it would be less time, possibly significantly.

Just let your packages sit for 24 hours and you are good. I heard that on metal or plastics up to 3 days, but sunlight or UV light will kill it quickly, so just set your stuff outside for a couple hours.

If you are running UV inks, then it would sterilize the sheets as they are printed. How is that for propaganda to give the sales team.

 

[gordo]

This is the not what the CDC and WHO are finding, unless your direct mailers are cardboard, then possibly.

"that the COVID-19 virus can remain airborne for several hours and active on surfaces including cardboard for a day or longer."

"Active on surfaces." Which to me meant mail in general. But cardboard also (in addition to).

 

[Schnicklefritz]

At our direct mail facility 2 employees out of 50 have stayed at home because of coughing but the rest show no signs of virus. Time will tell on this question.

 

[Shawnd]

If you are that worried then add some microban 72 to your UV coater.

 

[John M Dean]

CDC examination of COVID-19 on cruise ships found virus on surfaces for 17 days

CDC examination of COVID-19 on cruise ships found virus on surfaces for 17 days

UPDATE: The CDC has issued the following clarification on the study via Twitter after its release.

cbs2iowa.com

 

[OffsetStorefront]

CDC examination of COVID-19 on cruise ships found virus on surfaces for 17 days

CDC examination of COVID-19 on cruise ships found virus on surfaces for 17 days

UPDATE: The CDC has issued the following clarification on the study via Twitter after its release.

cbs2iowa.com

A relevant clarification from the CDC at the top of the article:
"A recent documented SARS-CoV-2 RNA was found on surfaces in cruise ship cabins up to 17 days after cabins were vacated on the Diamond Princess, before disinfection occurred. Live, infectious virus was NOT found. The authors’ finding does not indicate SARS-CoV-2 was transmitted from these surfaces."

A New England Journal of Medicine study shows infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus can survive for only up to 72 hrs on plastic & steel & up to 24 hrs on cardboard."

 

[John M Dean]

A New England Journal of Medicine study shows infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus can survive for only up to 72 hrs on plastic & steel & up to 24 hrs on cardboard."

-Yes. This.

 

[truehue]

A relevant clarification from the CDC at the top of the article:
"A recent documented SARS-CoV-2 RNA was found on surfaces in cruise ship cabins up to 17 days after cabins were vacated on the Diamond Princess, before disinfection occurred. Live, infectious virus was NOT found. The authors’ finding does not indicate SARS-CoV-2 was transmitted from these surfaces."

A New England Journal of Medicine study shows infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus can survive for only up to 72 hrs on plastic & steel & up to 24 hrs on cardboard."

Thank you for that update! That's a pretty big detail.

 

[kev_24]

Yes, if it is a postal mail, then there are chances of corona spread because, the virus also rests on non-living surfaces.

 

[Lorenburton]

Research shows that the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can live on paper for only a few minutes. The novel coronavirus spreads primarily through respiratory droplets after someone coughs or sneezes. It’s possible to spread from contaminated surfaces as well. After opening your mail and throwing away the envelopes, thoroughly wash your hands to be on the safe side.