Help Me Assemble Evidence That Handwritten Letters Are Safe Enough.

[praxim]

It is inconsistent to say that gloves are useless but washing hands is vital. We can discuss relative value, but if washing works then other prophylaxis for the hands can not be of no value.

 

While the information from Dr Streeck is both interesting and plausible to me, it is as yet not (sfaik) formally reviewed, published, critiqued, and independently confirmed.

 

I will wait, taking for now only that additional emphasis should be placed on masks.

[adamselene]

Regarding the use of gloves and PPE, from my experience working in a very contaminated environment.

 

Everything outside my “personal space” I regard as contaminated.

 

My hands are clean before I put on gloves.

 

If I urgently want a cough drop, I can use my hands without first finding a sink by safely removing my gloves and chucking them.

 

(And do other personal things... )

Edited June 2, 2020 by adamselene

[ScarletWoodland]

I found gloves useful while I was still working, just before lockdown. I work in a cash handling job where we can't just run off to wash our hands every 5 minutes. We had a rubbing alcohol spray but that would destroy our skin in no time, so my colleague and I wore nitrile gloves and sterilised those fully between each (mainly elderly) customer.

 

I'll look forward to that research coming out as the cautious, 72hr wait is pretty impractical for some things.

[Estycollector]

All:

I like sending handwritten communications. Postcards, letters. I'd like to continue doing so.

 

Please contribute any links or resources you know that will support the safety of handwritten personal letters and cards. Here's the one I have (New York Times, March 24, 2020)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/24/health/coronavirus-mail-packages.html?searchResultPosition=1

 

I'd like to have good evidence for anyone that asks me why I'm still sending thank you cards, thoughts, etc. through snail mail. I hope that our shared joy in the handwritten world will uncover some good science or philosophy to support our continued sharing on paper.

 

I know that there is at least one thread here about the packages that come from China or senders in other "hot spots". My question seems a different concern so I started a new thread. If mods or users want to shift this elsewhere on the site, I'd be happy to do that.

 

Sincerely,

jonathan7007

 

I began writing thank you notes in 2010 to my referral sources. One day I noticed that a nurse had pinned every note I had written on a cork board over her desk. That sold me that my practice was of value to others.

 

I now write my family members letters using FP's and dip pens. The love getting them and say so. I even get letter back and have the displayed nearby.

 

Also, I no longer am concerned to cross out a word or phrase as this was common back in the day when paper was scarce.