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| As Postal Workers Fall Sick, Colleagues Keep Working. And Worrying. | As Postal Workers Fall Sick, Colleagues Keep Working. And Worrying. |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| Chris Jackson was halfway through his overnight shift sorting the mail for delivery when he and several colleagues were summoned into a windowless conference room. | Chris Jackson was halfway through his overnight shift sorting the mail for delivery when he and several colleagues were summoned into a windowless conference room. |
| The senior manager of the mail facility was there along with a representative from the union and other postal officials. | The senior manager of the mail facility was there along with a representative from the union and other postal officials. |
| They confirmed the rumors that had been swirling all night. One of their colleagues in the Bethlehem, Pa., mail facility had Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. | They confirmed the rumors that had been swirling all night. One of their colleagues in the Bethlehem, Pa., mail facility had Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. |
| They gave the staff the option of going home, and about half did. But the facility was not going to shut down. Instead, they set up cones around the area where the sick worker had been, and the overnight crew continued until dawn preparing the mail to be sent to people’s homes. | They gave the staff the option of going home, and about half did. But the facility was not going to shut down. Instead, they set up cones around the area where the sick worker had been, and the overnight crew continued until dawn preparing the mail to be sent to people’s homes. |
| “They said we need to have the delivery trucks out there,” Mr. Jackson said. “They said delivery trucks really instill confidence that it’s business as usual, that the mail is still getting to you.” | “They said we need to have the delivery trucks out there,” Mr. Jackson said. “They said delivery trucks really instill confidence that it’s business as usual, that the mail is still getting to you.” |
| Neither sleet, nor snow — nor the coronavirus. With tens of millions of people across huge swaths of the country on state-ordered lockdown, the mail has remained one of the few physical tethers to the wider world. Medicine, packages bought online, at-home coronavirus tests, even mail-in presidential ballots — all require a reliable federal mail system. | Neither sleet, nor snow — nor the coronavirus. With tens of millions of people across huge swaths of the country on state-ordered lockdown, the mail has remained one of the few physical tethers to the wider world. Medicine, packages bought online, at-home coronavirus tests, even mail-in presidential ballots — all require a reliable federal mail system. |
| But mail delivery requires a healthy work force, and postal workers have been falling sick across the country — Miami, Manhattan, Seattle, Portland and more have reported sick workers, according to Paul Hogrogian, national president of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union. | But mail delivery requires a healthy work force, and postal workers have been falling sick across the country — Miami, Manhattan, Seattle, Portland and more have reported sick workers, according to Paul Hogrogian, national president of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union. |
| On Thursday, 13 postal workers had tested positive; by Friday, that number was 20, including the one from the Bethlehem facility where Mr. Jackson works, according to Mr. Hogrogian. On Sunday, postal officials in Washington said the number was “fewer than 30.” | On Thursday, 13 postal workers had tested positive; by Friday, that number was 20, including the one from the Bethlehem facility where Mr. Jackson works, according to Mr. Hogrogian. On Sunday, postal officials in Washington said the number was “fewer than 30.” |
| With a work force of 630,000, those numbers are still relatively small, but they are expected to keep rising in the coming days and weeks. Mr. Jackson and other rank-and-file workers worry that the Postal Service is not doing enough to protect them, and that they could become unwitting carriers of the virus. | With a work force of 630,000, those numbers are still relatively small, but they are expected to keep rising in the coming days and weeks. Mr. Jackson and other rank-and-file workers worry that the Postal Service is not doing enough to protect them, and that they could become unwitting carriers of the virus. |
| “They had no plan and they weren’t proactive at all,” Mr. Jackson said. “It was just crazy to me.” | “They had no plan and they weren’t proactive at all,” Mr. Jackson said. “It was just crazy to me.” |
| FedEx and UPS workers are facing similar fears that their warehouses were contaminated or soon will be. | FedEx and UPS workers are facing similar fears that their warehouses were contaminated or soon will be. |
| When Mr. Jackson returned to work the night after the meeting, he said, the cones had been removed from the sick worker’s station and the crew was expected to keep going. Another Bethlehem colleague, Sean Craig, said he was continuing to report for work but was worried about his infant son and his 82-year-old mother. | When Mr. Jackson returned to work the night after the meeting, he said, the cones had been removed from the sick worker’s station and the crew was expected to keep going. Another Bethlehem colleague, Sean Craig, said he was continuing to report for work but was worried about his infant son and his 82-year-old mother. |
| “The concern is there just wasn’t a plan in place,” Mr. Craig said. “It was fly by the seat of your pants, which made me very angry.” | “The concern is there just wasn’t a plan in place,” Mr. Craig said. “It was fly by the seat of your pants, which made me very angry.” |
| Mr. Craig and his colleagues have the option of staying at home and using their sick days or vacation days if they feel uncomfortable working. One employee reported for duty at 10 p.m., learned that a colleague had fallen sick, and was out the door by 10:30 p.m., Mr. Jackson said. | Mr. Craig and his colleagues have the option of staying at home and using their sick days or vacation days if they feel uncomfortable working. One employee reported for duty at 10 p.m., learned that a colleague had fallen sick, and was out the door by 10:30 p.m., Mr. Jackson said. |
| Those that stayed debated whether they should use their time now, or bank their sick days in case things become even worse. Mr. Jackson reasoned that since he is 34, healthy and lives alone, he could afford the risk. “We haven’t hit the peak yet so let’s work through this right now,” he said, reflecting the view of some of his colleagues. | Those that stayed debated whether they should use their time now, or bank their sick days in case things become even worse. Mr. Jackson reasoned that since he is 34, healthy and lives alone, he could afford the risk. “We haven’t hit the peak yet so let’s work through this right now,” he said, reflecting the view of some of his colleagues. |
| Updated June 16, 2020 | |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| But he said he felt like the nonessential parts of his job should be jettisoned to focus on delivering important goods and products. “We’re still sending brochures for cruise trips, thousands of them,” he said. “This doesn’t need to happen.” | But he said he felt like the nonessential parts of his job should be jettisoned to focus on delivering important goods and products. “We’re still sending brochures for cruise trips, thousands of them,” he said. “This doesn’t need to happen.” |
| In a message to postal employees last week, Megan J. Brennan, the postmaster general, said that “there is no evidence the virus can spread through the mail.” A recent study in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that the virus disintegrates over the course of a day on cardboard. | In a message to postal employees last week, Megan J. Brennan, the postmaster general, said that “there is no evidence the virus can spread through the mail.” A recent study in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that the virus disintegrates over the course of a day on cardboard. |
| But direct handling of the mail is only one aspect of the job inside postal facilities. Hundreds of people rotate through most warehouses, handling equipment, loading trucks, preparing the mail to be delivered door-to-door by letter carriers who in turn fan out to homes across their area. That leaves plenty of opportunities to spread the disease, Mr. Jackson said, and there has not been enough planning or support. | But direct handling of the mail is only one aspect of the job inside postal facilities. Hundreds of people rotate through most warehouses, handling equipment, loading trucks, preparing the mail to be delivered door-to-door by letter carriers who in turn fan out to homes across their area. That leaves plenty of opportunities to spread the disease, Mr. Jackson said, and there has not been enough planning or support. |
| “A lot of people asked, would they shut down the building for cleaning? Not an option,” he said. | “A lot of people asked, would they shut down the building for cleaning? Not an option,” he said. |
| As for letter carriers who go door to door, new rules are quickly taking hold. Letter carriers walking up to people’s doorsteps are instructed to “politely ask the customer to step back a safe distance,” and to ask for their name instead of requesting their signature. | As for letter carriers who go door to door, new rules are quickly taking hold. Letter carriers walking up to people’s doorsteps are instructed to “politely ask the customer to step back a safe distance,” and to ask for their name instead of requesting their signature. |
| Mr. Hogrogian, the union president, said he had been in direct conversation with senior postal officials about how to protect his people. The most glaring gap, he said, was that sometimes it took several days for officials to identify the people who had been in close contact with those who have tested positive. | Mr. Hogrogian, the union president, said he had been in direct conversation with senior postal officials about how to protect his people. The most glaring gap, he said, was that sometimes it took several days for officials to identify the people who had been in close contact with those who have tested positive. |
| “If they can’t determine who’s been in close contact for three or four days,” he said, “that’s three or four more days that employees are allowed to work.” | “If they can’t determine who’s been in close contact for three or four days,” he said, “that’s three or four more days that employees are allowed to work.” |