#Pandemic ‘corona stamp’ made of toilet paper features elephant

Stamps are usually for honoring inspiring people or treasured symbols. But the coronavirus?

Austria’s peculiar new postal campaign pays tribute to the global pandemic with a stamp featuring an illustration of the COVID-19 pathogen alongside a line drawing of a baby elephant — mascot of the country’s social-distancing push, the Guardian reported.

Beneath the charming doodle is a scaled measure of “1 meter,” which is the amount of space health officials have ordered between individuals in public spaces — as well as the average length of a baby elephant.

The cheeky stamps were also printed on three-ply toilet paper. Of course, bathroom tissue has become a global symbol for early pandemic struggles, when shortages on home staples cropped up as a result of public panic.

A “corona stamp” book includes just one stamp for a marked-up rate of 2.75 euros ($3.25) per stamp, some of which is intended for charity. The novelty postage is cut exactly 10 centimeters long, or one-tenth of the crucial meter distance.

“If you put 10 stamp sheets end to end, you get a meter’s distance in total — or the length of a baby elephant. The famous baby animal is also printed on the stamp,” said the Österreichische Post in a statement. Photos demonstrate that the post office has also produced a special elephant stamp to accompany any mailer featuring the novelty stamp.

The British news service also pointed out that the Österreichische Post, headquartered in Vienna, is known for their irreverent promotional stunts. For example, their “Brexit stamp” poked fun at the protracted negotiations regarding the UK’s withdrawal schedule from the European Union. In their design, the date March 29, 2019 is crossed out, and beneath it Britain’s actual departure date, in January this year.

Austria recently hit a new high in their daily COVID-19 case count, with 2,571 reported as of Oct. 23, according to the nation’s health ministry.