COVID-19 Pandemic and Postage Stamps: An Example of Conveying Societal Messages

Öz

Aim: During the pandemic, most of the postal administrations around the world temporarily suspended their existing emission programs and prioritized the COVID-19 theme in stamp designs. Social messages were at the forefront of the stamps issued during this period. In addition to stamp series related to COVID-19, various philately products such as first day envelopes, postcards, special envelopes were also produced. This study aimed to examine postage stamps used to deliver a social message during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: In the esteemed philatelic catalogs of Michel and Yvert et Tellier, stamps issued between January 1, 2020, and January 1, 2021, were screened using the keywords “COVID-19” and “coronavirus.” From these stamps, those with themes of “frontline heroes,” “preventive measures (masks, handwashing, vaccination, etc.),” and “social solidarity” were selected. This study presents 35 philatelic items from various countries worldwide that contain societal messages related to COVID-19. Results: National and international stamp designs emphasized messages such as the representative image of the virus, heroes on the front line of the pandemic, prevention measures, treatment methods, cleanliness, use of masks, “stay home” and social isolation. National and international stamp designs emphasized issues such as the representative image of the virus, virus protection measures, treatment methods, hygiene elements, use of masks, "stay home" and social isolation. Conclusion: Stamps issued on the theme of COVID-19 have been used as a promotional tool that draws attention to the effects of COVID-19 and contributes to raising social awareness by reaching millions of people through national or international postal networks.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• COVID-19
• Philately
• Coronavirus
• Postage Stamps
• History

COVID-19 Pandemisi ve Posta Pulları: Toplumsal Mesaj Vermede Bir Örnek

Öz

Amaç: Pandemi sürecinde, dünya genelindeki posta idarelerinin büyük bir kısmı mevcut emisyon programlarını geçici olarak durdurarak pul tasarımlarında COVID-19 temasına öncelik vermiştir. Bu dönemde basılan pullarda sosyal mesajlar ön planda yer almıştır. COVID-19 ile ilgili pul serilerine ek olarak ilk gün zarfları, kartpostallar, özel zarflar gibi çeşitli filateli ürünleri de üretilmiştir. Bu çalışmada, COVID-19 pandemisinde toplumsal bir mesaj vermede kullanılan posta pullarını incelemek amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Filateli camiasının saygın katalogları olan Michel ve Yvert et Tellier 1 Ocak 2020- 1 Ocak 2021 tarihleri arasında “COVID-19, koronavirüs” anahtar kelimeleri ve görselleriyle taranan pulların içinden teması “ön cephe kahramanları”, “korunma yöntemleri (maske, el yıkama, aşı vb.), “toplumsal dayanışma” olanlar seçilmiştir. Bu çalışmada, dünyanın farklı ülkelerinde yayımlanan COVID-19 ile ilgili toplumsal mesaj içeren 35 adet filatelik malzeme sunulmuştur. Bulgular: Ulusal ve uluslararası pul tasarımlarında virüsün temsili görseli, pandeminin ön cephesinde yer alan kahramanlar, korunma önlemleri, tedavi yolları, temizlik unsurları, maske kullanımı, “evde kal” ve sosyal izolasyon gibi mesajları ön plana çıkaran pullara rastlanmıştır. Sonuç: COVID-19 temasında basılan pullar, ulusal veya uluslararası posta ağları aracılığıyla milyonlarca kişiye ulaşarak COVID-19'un etkilerine dikkat çeken ve toplumsal bilinç oluşturmaya katkı sağlayan bir tanıtım aracı olarak kullanılmıştır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• COVID-19
• Filateli
• Koronavirüs
• Posta Pulları
• Tarih

Kaynakça

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