USPS taking precautions as 900 workers across the country test positive for COVID-19

WINTER PARK, Fla. — Bruce David approached the post office with a cautious eye, and gloves over his hands.

He was made even more wary by this week’s new that two employees at the downtown Winter Park post office tested positive for COVID-19.

“I certainly wouldn’t go inside now that I know that there’s somebody that’s tested positive,” he said. “This thing is a killer.”

Nearly 900 U.S. Postal Service workers, including the two cases from Winter Park, have tested positive for COVID-19. At least one person has tested positive at Amazon as well.

Many of you have asked Eyewitness News whether they should be worried about the virus spreading on their boxes, plastic, envelopes and other mail.

Health departments don’t provide alerts for COVID-19 like they do for something like Hepatitis A.

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And unlike the TSA, the USPS doesn’t publish a daily list that customers can find where any of its nearly 900 workers have tested positive. Neither do other delivery companies. That’s because it’s at the discretion of an individual to notify the public, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Still, the USPS told Eyewitness News people shouldn’t be worried about handling their mail, because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization have found no evidence the virus can be spread by mail.

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Still, David said he is being extra careful.

“That's why I kinda wipe everything down before I touch it or get into it,” he said.

Delivery companies say they’re being careful, with workers wearing masks and gloves. USPS has created videos, urging people to stay away from workers.

A USPS spokesperson said they also have barriers up in offices to limit contact between customers.

Microbiology experts say they don’t think the virus can stick around for more than a few hours on paper, like a piece of mail. The odds of transferring a virus from paper to a person’s finger is also low. However, transfer rates can be higher for plastic packaging and tape.

The best thing to do is wipe anything that comes inside your home with a disinfectant, then wash your hands immediately.

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