Postal Workers Are Stressed And On The Front Lines Of The Coronavirus Pandemic

LOADING ERROR LOADING As millions of Americans are told to stay home to protect themselves and stem the spread of coronavirus, postal workers nationwide are still going to work, risking their health but remaining committed to delivering the letters, prescriptions and other mail people need. “You have to do the exact opposite of what authorities are asking people to do, which is stay home.” The 42-year-old, who delivers mail in a small city in Massachusetts, is part of a workforce deemed “essential” during the coronavirus crisis, meaning that — like grocery store workers, firefighters, garbage collectors and more — he still has to show up to work every day, even as large swaths of the country have closed stores and schools, companies have mandated employees work from home, and some states have ordered people to shelter in place. The CDC website says, “There is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures.” But postal workers don’t only come into contact with mail: They’re also commuting to work every day, sharing space with coworkers, possibly interacting with people at homes they deliver to — increasing their chances of contracting the virus far beyond just handling letters. It’s been a little slow getting protective equipment we need.” “At some point, someone in my office will get it, and in short order, we all will, and then I don’t know who will deliver the mail.” - Michael, letter carrier USPS told HuffPost that “safety of our employees is our highest priority” and the agency is “urgently working to make sure all our employees have the supplies they need to stay safe.” It has a dedicated COVID-19 response team following strategies recommended by the CDC. “That person gets to stay home where they’re safe.” Stutts urged anyone who wants to help postal workers to do one thing above all else: Stay away from your mail person.