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Coronavirus

Licking the Christmas Card envelopes to close them

(91 Posts)
Situpstraight2 Sat 19-Dec-20 16:09:08

All of my Christmas Cards have been put into envelopes and (presumably) licked to seal the envelopes and then posted to me.

Am I the only one who stuck the flap down with sticky tape?

All cards are sitting unopened for a couple of days,

Licking!! Just what I need a large dollop of Covid spit for Christmas

Yuk......

Situpstraight2 Sat 19-Dec-20 21:30:30

Callistemon what a waste!

Delish with a cheesy sauce, (for extra pizazz add a sprinkling of witty repartee.)

MamaCaz Sat 19-Dec-20 21:33:47

As an 'economy' layer in a lasagne, perhaps? ?

Elegran Sat 19-Dec-20 22:19:35

It must be the "special" cards that have the pull-off sticky strips, not the bog-standard ones in boxes.

lemongrove Sat 19-Dec-20 22:36:16

Teacheranne

I just wash my hands after opening the post.

Me too.

Callistemon Sat 19-Dec-20 23:40:41

Situpstraight2

Callistemon what a waste!

Delish with a cheesy sauce, (for extra pizazz add a sprinkling of witty repartee.)

I hope it doesn't come to that if we can't get a grocery slot!

Casdon Sat 19-Dec-20 23:42:35

No Elegran, I am definitely not a ‘Special cards’ person, mine were charity cards from WHS, I didn’t know they were peel and strip until I started writing them - think they are just catching up with the modern world.

SueDonim Sat 19-Dec-20 23:53:26

Floriel

Unless I’ve included something like money I rarely seal card envelopes, I just tuck them in. They seem to arrive OK and I hate licking stamps and envelopes - especially now.

They don’t arrive okay. We’ve had several unsealed cards this year that have been horribly mangled, presumably in the sorting machinery.

It’s not a big deal to open letters & cards, dispose of the envelopes and then wash your hands.

ReadyMeals Sun 20-Dec-20 10:14:05

I never lick an envelope these days goodness knows what that glue is made of. Also I got a paper cut on my tongue once that was enough to put me off

Mollygo Sun 20-Dec-20 10:16:54

I licked the envelopes if there was no tape. It was going to take them so long to get there any germs I might have had would have died.
I’ve always opened all letters along the top edge either with my thumb or a knife. I cut off the stamps and drop them in my collection box then shred the envelopes. Then I wash my hands. I think you have to do whatever you think will keep you safe even if it seems a bit OCD to others. Worrying is bad for your stress levels.

threexnanny Sun 20-Dec-20 10:22:11

I hate licking envelopes so usually seal mine with one of those addressed labels which charities keep sending to me as a 'gift'!

sazz1 Sun 20-Dec-20 10:34:11

I didn't seal any of mine just tucked in the flap. A few people I know have had money stolen from cards where they have been ripped open before being delivered, or just not arrived So I think it's safer to just tuck in the flap as its just a card.

GrannyTracey Sun 20-Dec-20 11:01:01

Just wondering how you would know if someone licked the envelope or stuck it with water ? Also the 2 nd class post is taking days to arrive & people often write their cards many days before posting so I’m sure the virus would be dead by the time you receive it . This year I made a conscious effort to just tuck the envelope inside or use a bit of sponge dipped in water instead of licking .

Olive53 Sun 20-Dec-20 11:02:50

Hear Hear Bluebelle. How on earth are we going to strengthen our immune system if we’re continuously washing and jelling hands, wearing masks in a car where you’re the only occupant. (Can’t understand the car bit!!!!!)
Where we all doing this when the Flu season was here last year.
Masks and social distancing obviously don’t work, if they did the “pandemic” would be gone by now
Our freedom is slowly being taken away from us, is no one bothered ?

EllanVannin Sun 20-Dec-20 11:05:28

Stamps don't need licking these days, thank the Lord.

ElaineRI55 Sun 20-Dec-20 11:24:14

Wet cloth to dampen the flap ( apart from about 4 where I was distracted and forgot).
Spray ones arriving, sealed or not, envelopes in recycling bin. Put cards up then spray or wash hands thoroughly.

lynx Sun 20-Dec-20 11:26:58

I've always used a sponge and water to seal envelopes, can't stand the taste of that glue! Happy that stamps no longer need wetting too.

Shelagh6 Sun 20-Dec-20 11:33:50

I believe all the tosh on here but hey ho!

Shelagh6 Sun 20-Dec-20 11:34:29

Sorry - can’t believe the tosh

Riggie Sun 20-Dec-20 11:46:33

Situpstraight2

Woodmouse I was just surprised that people are still licking the envelopes, not that I was unable to cope with receiving them!

I would have thought that after 9 months old habits might have changed.

Didn't occur to me. However I was using leftover cards from last year so I am pretty sure they are covid free and safe to lick.

And as for opening - up to the recipient!

Growing0ldDisgracefully Sun 20-Dec-20 12:02:33

None of the cards I sent had peel-off strips, especially the ones I make, including the envelopes. I have had covid so assuming I can't be an asymptomatic carrier but out of consideration for others I taped all of my envelopes shut.
I also sell items on eBay, and always wash my hands well and put on a mask before packing up my sales. But I'm with Olive in agreeing I see no reason to wear a mask in a car if I'm the only occupant - really don't understand why people do that.

grannyrebel7 Sun 20-Dec-20 12:05:54

Envelopes licked and all post opened straight away. This is all getting ridiculous!

dolphindaisy Sun 20-Dec-20 12:18:48

If the virus does live on envelopes then all postal workers, both delivery and sorting, would be dropping like flies.

Greeneyedgirl Sun 20-Dec-20 12:26:14

It seems extreme to worry about envelope licking, I don’t open the envelope along licked seam anyway. The risk must be minuscule from catching Covid from licked envelopes if hands are washed afterward opening.

There may be more risk from surfaces from folk constantly touching their masks, then contaminating surfaces, which I have seen supermarket staff and even medics doing often.

LynneH Sun 20-Dec-20 12:26:18

I do the same. Apart from the hygiene aspect, the taste is disgusting, if you lick them

icanhandthemback Sun 20-Dec-20 12:26:51

I think that this is all overkill. The virus dies quickly when not on a living host and is transmitted by aspiration/saliva in the immediate moment. The risk of contamination is so small so please stop torturing yourself with these sort of worries. It really isn't good for your mental health.