topic Re: My post office is not complying in Community Chat

My post office is not complying

Grouchomarx — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 18:54:04 GMT

Yesterday I went to the post office to drop off a few packages. They had put up partial plastic shields and had signs saying we must distance from other customers and only 3 at a time allowed in. The two postal workers I saw did NOT have anything covering their nose or mouth. Both had a covering lowered to their chin. I found this appalling and alarming. Not only are they exposing the customers but also all the mail they are handling. So be extra extra cautious with any and all mail and packages you receive, people may be breathing all over it. I really thought a government agency would be in compliance. This is in New Rochelle NY.

Re: My post office is not complying

fthunt — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 19:01:54 GMT

I think the plastic shield should be protection enough. Gosh - you got to have a big sneeze to violate that.

Re: My post office is not complying

Puppy Lips — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 19:03:36 GMT

I am at our local post office five days a week. They put up a somewhat clear shower curtain that hangs from the ceiling down to the counter area, but leaves about a foot open to pass things under. None of the clerks wear masks. They put stickers on the floor to keep people separated in line. At least half of the customers I see in line have masks on. I am not one of them. But I do wash my hands when I get home and don't touch my face on the way. But frankly, the virus could be on the reciept I am handed and I could see it being passed that way to me, or even when I use the credit card machine, or when I get cash back.

Re: My post office is not complying

KKJ — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 19:03:52 GMT

There are still no cases in the town where I live and the postal workers wear face masks and gloves plus have the protective shield at service window.

Re: My post office is not complying

Imaoldhippie — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 19:08:19 GMT

Nothing on this earth is germ, bacteria or virus free. And nothing we humans can do will give us 100% protection.

Just take precautions for yourself.

Re: My post office is not complying

BeautyLver — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 19:20:30 GMT

@Grouchomarx wrote:
Yesterday I went to the post office to drop off a few packages. They had put up partial plastic shields and had signs saying we must distance from other customers and only 3 at a time allowed in. The two postal workers I saw did NOT have anything covering their nose or mouth. Both had a covering lowered to their chin. I found this appalling and alarming. Not only are they exposing the customers but also all the mail they are handling. So be extra extra cautious with any and all mail and packages you receive, people may be breathing all over it. I really thought a government agency would be in compliance. This is in New Rochelle NY.

They are following protocol. What other measures in your area are they supposed to be adhering to that they are not? What you described is what is required in my area. What about the mail in your mailbox, all the people handling items wherever you shop. Packing your groceries, There is so much out of everyone's control with this virus. Each of us has to be diligent in our own spaces, where we shop and what we bring into our homes. And how we clean, disinfect such.

Re: My post office is not complying

millieshops — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 19:20:42 GMT

@Puppy LipsPlease keep in mind that the mask you wear is probably more for the protection of others around you than to protect you. None of us unless maybe we were just tested knows whether we're carriers.

Re: My post office is not complying

Grouchomarx — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 19:22:50 GMT

The rule in NY is you must wear a face covering if you're not 6 feet apart and it's required in shops. You are pretty close to the person behind the counter at the post office and the shield is only partial, as I stated. They go to the unshielded side to take your package from you, allowing plenty of space to spew virus particles while talking to you. I don't understand why they are not complying with the rules set out for ALL of society, not just those who feel like it. I look at it this way, if we all do stupid things like going close to others with no face cover, the spread will increase. Everyone should follow the rules. New Rochelle was and still is a hot spot. I think people who don't follow the rules are truly irresponsible idiots with no consideration for anyone else's welfare. I wonder if they will feel stupid or sorry when they get the virus and go to the hospital, knowing they did nothing at all to prevent it.

Re: My post office is not complying

noodleann — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 19:27:01 GMT

I refuse to criticize the USPS frontline workers. I am so grateful they are providing services. In my PO, you do a little dance to drop packages. They step back, you step forward and put the stuff on the couter, then step back and they step forward and process them. I call it the Postal Minuet.

Can't even remember if they wore masks. There was a clear barrier. It's fine by me.

Re: My post office is not complying

Pearlee — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 19:28:30 GMT

I've read from numerous medical sources online that it is highly unlikely to catch the virus from mail.

Re: My post office is not complying

BeautyLver — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 19:34:18 GMT

@Grouchomarx wrote:
The rule in NY is you must wear a face covering if you're not 6 feet apart and it's required in shops. You are pretty close to the person behind the counter at the post office and the shield is only partial, as I stated. They go to the unshielded side to take your package from you, allowing plenty of space to spew virus particles while talking to you. I don't understand why they are not complying with the rules set out for ALL of society, not just those who feel like it. I look at it this way, if we all do stupid things like going close to others with no face cover, the spread will increase. Everyone should follow the rules. New Rochelle was and still is a hot spot. I think people who don't follow the rules are truly irresponsible idiots with no consideration for anyone else's welfare. I wonder if they will feel stupid or sorry when they get the virus and go to the hospital, knowing they did nothing at all to prevent it.

Everyone is required to be 6 feet apart regardless if it's in the street, grocery store, post office. Don't know what you mean "they go to the unshielded side to take your parcel from you". Post offices have counters. I picked up a parcel yesterday from the post office. No problem. You seem to be inserting how you want it to be rather than how it really is. Unless where you live is mandated everywhere to wear masks, it is what it is. You are also making unkind, unsubstantiated comments about others. We are all afraid of the unknown, not just you. But common sense has to be in the forefront.

Re: My post office is not complying

noodleann — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 19:45:49 GMT

@Grouchomarx wrote:
The rule in NY is you must wear a face covering if you're not 6 feet apart and it's required in shops. You are pretty close to the person behind the counter at the post office and the shield is only partial, as I stated. They go to the unshielded side to take your package from you, allowing plenty of space to spew virus particles while talking to you. I don't understand why they are not complying with the rules set out for ALL of society, not just those who feel like it. I look at it this way, if we all do stupid things like going close to others with no face cover, the spread will increase. Everyone should follow the rules. New Rochelle was and still is a hot spot. I think people who don't follow the rules are truly irresponsible idiots with no consideration for anyone else's welfare. I wonder if they will feel stupid or sorry when they get the virus and go to the hospital, knowing they did nothing at all to prevent it.

The USPS is a federal institution and may not be bound by whatever game plan NY is playing by this week. And if you're standing too close to the workers, that's your fault, not theirs. Step back, or better yet, call for package pickup.

Here is info on what the USPS is doing re the coronavirus:

https://about.usps.com/newsroom/statements/usps-statement-on-coronavirus.htm

I strongly suggest you contact them with your jurisdiction issues. Grassing their workers here it isn't likely to result in enlightenment.

Re: My post office is not complying

Moonlady — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 19:52:19 GMT

I stopped counting the number of unmasked shoppers at Wegmans (NY), and in other stores.

Stop being alarmed and appalled.

Re: My post office is not complying

proudlyfromNJ — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 20:01:28 GMT

@Moonlady wrote:
I stopped counting the number of unmasked shoppers at Wegmans (NY), and in other stores.

Stop being alarmed and appalled.

@Moonlady My husband goes to Wegmans in NJ. He said everyone he saw was wearing a mask. Is your Wegmans upstate? We are southern NY but the only Wegmans around is in NJ. I hear upstate may be opening earlier than us in southern N.Y.

Re: My post office is not complying

jlkz — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 20:03:56 GMT

@Grouchomarx

@puppy lips

I keep a wipe handy in my ziploc bag: wipe credit card, receipts, pkgs, mail, etc. and then toss.

Re: My post office is not complying

BeautyLver — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 20:06:13 GMT

@noodleann wrote:
@Grouchomarx wrote:
The rule in NY is you must wear a face covering if you're not 6 feet apart and it's required in shops. You are pretty close to the person behind the counter at the post office and the shield is only partial, as I stated. They go to the unshielded side to take your package from you, allowing plenty of space to spew virus particles while talking to you. I don't understand why they are not complying with the rules set out for ALL of society, not just those who feel like it. I look at it this way, if we all do stupid things like going close to others with no face cover, the spread will increase. Everyone should follow the rules. New Rochelle was and still is a hot spot. I think people who don't follow the rules are truly irresponsible idiots with no consideration for anyone else's welfare. I wonder if they will feel stupid or sorry when they get the virus and go to the hospital, knowing they did nothing at all to prevent it.
The USPS is a federal institution and may not be bound by whatever game plan NY is playing by this week. And if you're standing too close to the workers, that's your fault, not theirs. Step back, or better yet, call for package pickup.

Here is info on what the USPS is doing re the coronavirus:
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/statements/usps-statement-on-coronavirus.htm

I strongly suggest you contact them with your jurisdiction issues. Grassing their workers here it isn't likely to result in enlightenment.

ITA. There is nothing on earth that would prompt me to criticize, insult anyone who works everyday, putting themselves in harm's way...serving strangers, taking care of others. Not knowing what that could mean for themselves, those they love.

Re: My post office is not complying

millieshops — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 20:10:38 GMT

@GrouchomarxSo where have you been and seen 100% of everyone very carefully adhering to 100% of all the best practices?

I've been barely anywhere for over a month now and have yet to see that anywhere. Not on the employee side nor on the user side. Iwouldn't even give myself 100 on a compliance test.

Re: My post office is not complying

Sheila P-Burg — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 20:20:30 GMT

I have not seen any of the mail carriers wearing mask so they definitely are breathing on the mail, packages, etc. @Grouchomarx ..... when you go to your mailbox to get your mail how do you handle that?

Re: My post office is not complying

Sage04 — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 20:27:09 GMT

At my Post Office the clerk is behind the shield. There are three shields and about maybe an 18 space between each shield.

You step up, put your package in that space, step back and the clerk picks up the package. The clerk does not have to move to get the package. I like that set up.

Re: My post office is not complying

shoekitty — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 20:27:30 GMT

I have a receiving table by my mailbox I wear gloves to open mail and have trash / bin can to throw trash out. I have wipes at table and wipe all packages and mail down disposing of boxes in bin. then I wipe down items I take inside, after I remove gloves and toss in bin Works for me. I have outside shoes I wear on walks