Can you catch the coronavirus from mail

The short answer is: it's highly unlikely to catch the coronavirus from mail.

The World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other reputable health organizations have stated that the risk of transmission of COVID-19 through mail and packages is extremely low.

Here's why:

  1. Coronavirus is not airborne: COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. These droplets are typically short-range and don't travel far through the air.
  2. Mail and packages are not a significant source of transmission: The virus is not known to survive for long periods on surfaces, including mail and packages. Even if the virus were present on a surface, it would likely be inactivated by the time the mail or package is opened.
  3. Mail and packages are typically handled and processed in a way that minimizes the risk of transmission: Mail and packages are typically handled by automated machinery, and human handlers wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and masks to minimize the risk of transmission.
  4. The virus is not stable on surfaces: The SARS-CoV-2 virus is not stable on surfaces and is quickly inactivated by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and UV light.

To further reduce the risk of transmission, many countries have implemented measures such as:

In summary, while it's theoretically possible to catch the coronavirus from mail or packages, the risk is extremely low. The likelihood of transmission is higher through close contact with an infected person, rather than through mail or packages.