Could Christmas cards spread the virus?

I would just like to add that if it was possible to catch Covid that easily, the numbers wouldn’t have gone down so much during the first lockdown. I just open my post as I always have.

I wish someone would tell my online selling customers about the post being delayed, I get messages every day because orders are delayed! I feel,like replying doh! Really? You don’t know there’s a pandemic going on! ?

I’ve never done the quarantining of post or disinfecting of shopping that others have, but up to them if they want to.

At the start of first lockdown, it seemed as though cash would never be used again, but although cards are used much more, I still see many people paying with real money.
ATM’s still in use, car park ticket dispensers touched by many hands, shopping trolleys and baskets not sanitised half as much, we have just become more accepting of how things are.

Jason leitch said on TV yesterday Christmas cards and all post is safe and not to worry about it

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Send them second class, will take at least the 72 hours recommended before touching paper, parcels delivered.

harrigran I quite agree. One poster was quite unnecessarily rude and unpleasant to you. I think it’s quite reasonable to take those precautions if you have seriously ill relatives. If someone else doesn’t want to they don’t have to – no need to show disrespect to people who make different choices.

Well, I haven't caught the virus yet, and I have opened any letters that came immediately, and read the local paper and looked through the supermarket adverts the day they arrive.

If it worries you, by all means pop your mail in the microwave first or the oven.

I’m high risk and isolating apart from going out for exercise, never give it a thought, wash my hands several times a day! Self distance! Wear mask, to be honest I’m not going to be worrying day in day out of what else I should be doing! I don’t put anything aside before opening it, I don’t lick envelopes I just tuck inside, each to their own, do what you feel is right for you

I think I’m one of the sad people open to abuse. I leave all post in the quarantine spot in the hall - parcels too and wait for 3 days plus to open them and then wash my hands. All our shopping - delivered by the supermarket as we haven’t been in a supermarket since the beginning of the first lockdown - plus fruit and veg from the local farm shop - are either cleaned with sanitising spray or given a good wash. We feel safe this way and it only takes a few mins. We’d rather be safe than sorry. Our choice to do this and we’re happy with it so don’t really care if others want to be abusive about it! Each to their own and we’re not doing anyone any harm.

I wrote my cards the other day and just tucked the piece you lick inside the envelope....

Thank you Curlz, that is the sort of informed reassurance I was hoping for. ☺️ Thank you for the work you and your colleagues do.

Bikergran - same to you and all supermarket staff.
I hadn’t thought about wiping cards (will now) but I use my phone so much now for shopping lists and supermarket apps that I wipe it when I get home.

Also, regarding some comments - there’s really no need to ridicule anyone for taking whatever measures they can to try and protect themselves and their loved ones. Be kind.

We open the mail, put the contents aside for 3 days and wash hands well.

Open with a letter opener; even if the virus did linger in any saliva on the envelope that means that you wouldn't be touching that part anyway.

Wash hands thoroughly after opening the cards.

As the glue tastes foul, although it's not harmful, I don't know why anyone would use that method to seal several envelopes!

I hadnt thought of this, but we open other post throughout this time.

I’ve read articles suggesting that virus transmission via touch is much less likely than was thought at first. On the other hand, transmission indoors seems easier than expected, more able to hang around in the air.
I have never worried about post or packages.

harrigran well said. There are a couple of posters on this thread who appear to be making deliberately hurtful and provocative comments.

Given the length of time the post is taking these days , I doubt if there is any risk.

Oh yuck. I hadn't thought of that. There will be no licking of envelopes in this house.

Can I please ask people not to disrespect people who do sanitise, some of us have seriously ill relatives and we are not talking about being picky but actual life and death situation.

Wash hands and don’t worry.
The grandchildren were asking about sending cards through the school postbox. It’s been decided to have one collection day Friday am and only send within year group bubbles. Then leave the cards over the weekend before distributing them.
The head said he was trying to keep things as normal as possible.

I am sure I have read post is ok. It is only.hatd surfaces like door handles and banisters the virus sticks to. You could always turn card upside down and open at bottom where it can't have been locked if it makes you feel safer. I am not hosting or visiting family this year but most definitely will be sending out nice cards to loved ones.

Postman have worked all through the pandemic, both on deliveries and in the sorting offices. Surely if the virus is dangerous on letters there would have been a huge surge in postal workers coming down with it. I think you are quite safe opening cards but keep washing your hands if you are nervous.

Some post may be important, so I always open straight away. Hand wash after if in doubt.

Shelagh6

Some people are probably still washing their shopping - sad really!

No it’s not - it harms no one and makes them feel better.