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Mike 03

(16,616 posts)
2. What Dr. Fauci said last night on the CNN town hall
Fri Mar 13, 2020, 09:01 AM
Mar 2020

I've been concerned about this too.

He said we shouldn't worry too much about the mail or packages because the virus doesn't live that long on paper and "by the time it gets to you it's" probably not an issue. He said, even if there is some virus on the package it is likely to be so degraded (I can't remember the exact phrase he used) that it's no longer communicable.

He did mention that it might be wise to wipe down objects inside the box but he didn't make it sound like a priority.

I'm leaving "non urgent" mail and packages to sit for a couple of days (I'll carefully open the packages, remove wrappings and set the items out and wash my hands). I'll probably wipe down anything made of plastic (I order a lot of nutritional supplements that come in plastic bottles) but not worry about things wrapped in paper boxes. I'll cut the mail open on the side instead of just ripping it open with my fingers.

But there's something he didn't address, which is if your postal delivery person is infected, because then the source and time is much closer to when it's delivered. We've already had cases (or one case) of a USPS worker being infected.

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