Just received post from friend self isolating with covid symptoms

[sunshineanddaffodils]

I’m freaking out a bit tbh. Just opened a letter to discover a friend with covid symptoms has sent it and presumably licked the envelope to seal it. Am I over reacting?

Sent a couple of days ago presumably? I think the consensus is that the virus is unlikely to survive on paper that long. But I can understand why it's bothering you. What I'm doing with post is leaving it for a few hours. Your postie could have virus on their hands? It's so hard having to be this scared, isn't it? Have a good wash and put the letter aside somewhere for a couple of days would be my advice.

It’s got a first class stamp on so probably sent yesterday. I’d opened it and not really thought anything about it until a few hours later when it suddenly dawned on me. I hate how paranoid this virus is making me. Thanks for the tip on leaving post for a while.

Touching it is fine, it can’t be absorbed through your skin. Just wash your hands thoroughly.

Your friend is an idiot. She must have either taken it to a post box or given it to someone to post. She also distributed virus as fast as possible (1st class). Smh.

On the bright side, paper is thought to be ok after 24 hours, but any plastic (window envelopes) 72 hours.

You'll be fine if you washed your hands and declined to lick the envelope.

I don’t think I did And it’s too late now. I am a bit/very annoyed. Think it was a daft thing of her to do.

Surely at the moment it's good practice to wash hands after touching any post/parcels? I'm not preaching or anything, but isn't that one of the easiest things we can do to prevent this spreading.

I'm not disinfecting shopping etc but I am washing hands after touching post/parcels etc.

I'm sure you'll be fine though.

Even first class post is taking a few days to arrive so it was probably posted a few days ago. You are probably safe

It was a bit silly. I've stopped licking envelopes and I don't have symptoms.

@PicsInRed Maybe she had stamps at home and a PO box in front of their house? I just posted a letter like this.

Thinking about it, I haven’t licked a non-birthday card envelope in years. Normal letter ones all seem to have those self-sticking strips.

I doubt the virus would still be on it but even if it was - just wash your hands. Presumably you didn’t lick it yourself or sniff it for some reason

Oh for gods sake 🙃

I am 100% with you on this OP. When will people learn?!

Yes it is a worry about the post,as in envelopes etc, I was due to send a lengthy letter, and quite a few old photo's to a long time friend, but decided not to for the time being. It may be ok, but now everything seems a bit risky.