Can you get coronavirus from handling mail

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk of getting COVID-19 from handling mail is extremely low. Here's why:

  1. Coronavirus is not airborne: COVID-19 is primarily spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. These droplets can land on surfaces and be transmitted when someone touches their mouth, nose, or eyes.
  2. Mail is not a significant source of transmission: The virus is not known to survive for long periods on surfaces, including mail. The CDC states that the virus can survive on surfaces for a few hours to a few days, but it's unlikely to survive on mail for more than a few hours.
  3. Mail is typically handled by machines: Most mail is sorted and processed by machines, which reduces the risk of human-to-human transmission.
  4. Mail handlers are taking precautions: Mail handlers, such as postal workers, are taking precautions to minimize the risk of transmission, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves and masks.

However, it's still important to take some precautions when handling mail:

  1. Wash your hands: After handling mail, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  2. Avoid touching your face: Try to avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes after handling mail.
  3. Disinfect surfaces: If you need to handle mail in a shared space, disinfect surfaces and objects that may have come into contact with the mail.

In summary, while it's possible to get COVID-19 from handling mail, the risk is extremely low. By taking some simple precautions, you can minimize the risk even further.