The virus

[Ilya Semenenko-Basin]

One artist asked:

Are you quarantining your new mail art for two weeks? Should we be using gloves?

I replied:

This is an important issue. I do not know what to do. Just in case, I keep mail in a package in the hallway. I’m waiting for days or weeks to pass ... I don’t use gloves.
The virus lives mainly in an organic environment. For some time, the virus can live on a metal (plastic) surface, but not for very long. I do not think mail is dangerous. You can just wait, do not touch for two weeks ...

[Jayne Barket Lyons]

Good discussion. As far as mail art goes - it's business as usual for me. I trust that the mail will be fine. With that said - stay safe everybody!

[Carien van Hest]

You're welcome, Nancy (as always)

[Nancy Bell Scott]

Carien and Toni, I respect everyone's input on this, but am ecstatic today to find yours at the top. Fear of mail art just doesn't fit into what I hold dear in this world. Yesterday a really wonderful one arrived from Mail Art Martha and I opened it w/o a second thought. This will continue, in my house. The science confirms this approach, but even if it didn't, as a guarantee, people can give up on too many liberties or feelings of safety due to fear of the unknown. I like your messages -- thank you!   

[Carien van Hest]

There is no need to be afraid of your mail. If your anxious, wait 20 minutes before touching.

[Toni Hanner -- tonipoet]

I refuse to be afraid of my mail. There has to be a line drawn somewhere!

[Nancy Bell Scott]

Not that the current situation could be foreseen (nor do I set out to be super-sterile!), but U.S. stamps are sticky already now. I use glue on vintage stamps and on all envelopes. It's just easier, and the envelopes stay closed for their journeys. Licking never made that a given, let's face it. 

[Sabrina S]

 In Germany, we have both - self-adhesive and wet-adhesive stamps. I also don't lick stamps. Stamps taste horrible, urgh.

[Ilya Semenenko-Basin]

Thank you for your comment. I agree with your call for normality («But I strongly believe, things should -- nay, must -- continue as normal as possible»).

In Russia, both envelopes and new postage stamps do not need to be licked with the tongue, and it is impossible for technical reasons. Glue works everywhere. I glue old postage stamps with German-made synthetic glue . My collages and my envelopes do not bear traces of saliva, but envelopes pass through many hands during postal sorting. I don 't know who's touching them. We will be careful, circumspect , and wise.

[Valentine Mark Herman]

We make the Mail Art (usually without gloves).

We (usually) lick the stamps.

We seal (and lick?) the envelope.

Then the mail service gets in the virus-spreading act.

So, I suppose, we all play a part in spreading the virus.

But I strongly believe, things should -- nay, must -- continue as normal as possible.

[Katerina Nikoltsou (MomKat)]

Best to be careful ...

I cleaned the last batch of mail art with a "wipe" before opening them:

("Septona" a green apple a day...)

hmmm, could wear gloves, good idea