Could Christmas cards spread the virus?

You could work yourself up into a state about this. Regardless of your views, why not just open the cards, put the envelopes into recycling, stand them all in one room/place, and wash your hands after handling. It’s cheery to see them..I think it’s easily resolved if you’re worried.

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

NO. it has been found that the virus doesn't get spread that way as they originally feared. It is borne by droplets exhaled by speech and breathing and singing etc as well obviously as coughing and sneezing. but not by touch the fragment of RNA doesn't survive on surfaces by touch

I think that's highly unlikely, I've been sending (and received) birthday cards all year. We run our small business from home and we are 2 or 3 times busier than usual so we get several large boxes of goods delivered every day which we need to open, unpack, put away then pick and pack for dispatch asap. Also 2 members of the family work for us so it's perfectly legal for them to be here during working hours. We are very fortunate at a time when so many people are losing jobs and businesses but sometimes I would love some of the extra time many people have had, I'm 70 next year and retirement seems a distant dream.

Ellie666

Riverwalk. With regards to groceries, probably do what I have read some ridiculous people do, wipe every single thing before putting away and even washing every item of fruit and veg and I don't mean with just water. Give me a break something definitely wrong with people who do that.

That’s an incredibly unkind post. People are doing what they feel comfortable with and it’s hurting no one in comparison with posting unsubstantiated garbage that has the potential to cause real harm and anxiety.

Shelagh6

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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!

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

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.

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

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’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

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.

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.

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