Can you get coronavirus from the mail? Here’s what health experts say about the risk
The coronavirus pandemic has many people questioning what is and what isn’t safe to touch — including letters and packages.
From Amazon to the United States Postal Service, mail carriers have announced measures they’re taking to lower the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Even so, health experts say the risk of catching the virus from mail is low, despite research suggesting it could be detected on certain surfaces for up to three days.
Coronavirus and mail, according to experts
It’s highly unlikely a package from an area with coronavirus will infect a person, according to the World Health Organization.
“The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, traveled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is also low,” according to the WHO.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agrees the risk is low. CDC experts cite experience from SARS and MERS to guide their recommendation.
“In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures,” according to the CDC.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said any presence of the virus on mail likely is in a low concentration during a CNN townhall about coronavirus.
“Even if it is on there, would it be high enough of a concentration to actually be transmitted? Although it is important, I don’t want to downplay the recommendations of wiping down the kinds of things you can easily wipe down,” Fauci said.
“Doorknobs, screens, things like that. I think if you start thinking about money and mail and things like that, you can almost sort of immobilize yourself, which I don’t think is a good idea.”
How mail carriers are responding to COVID-19
The U.S. Postal Service cited the CDC, WHO and United States Surgeon General in announcing that no evidence exists that coronavirus is spreading through mail.
Amazon, which announced it will stop shipping certain items, says it is providing employees in quarantine with two weeks of paid leave “to ensure employees have the time they need to return to good health without the worry of lost income.”
UPS says it is working with local health officials across the world to provide service “where and when conditions permit safe access.”
FedEx says it is disinfecting equipment used for deliveries and encouraging employees to seek attention if they develop symptoms.
“We believe the measures we’re taking to promote good hygiene and to encourage employees to not come to work if they’re sick are in line with guidance from CDC and WHO,” FedEx officials said.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 3:12 PM with the headline "Can you get coronavirus from the mail? Here’s what health experts say about the risk."