Willow Glen post office on higher alert for anthrax

Postal workers take additional precautions

By Moryt Milo

In light of the latest concerns about the anthrax bacteria contaminating mail throughout the United States, the Willow Glen Post Office, 1750 Meridian Ave., is taking the highest precautions with mail arriving and being delivered to its residents and businesses.

"We are being very cautious and have had mandatory stand-ups," San Jose Station Supervisor April Delgado said.

During a stand-up, the post office brings carriers together and discusses what to look for in the mail. The post office goes through procedures, playing out several safety scenarios in the post office, including rehearsing procedures that are considered incorrect.

Delgado, who has been a postal employee for 21 years, said that supervisors are taught not to put something suspicious in a drawer to deal with later, and handlers are told that picking up an item which is leaking a substance should not be carried through the mailroom.

Just last week the Meridian Avenue post office had a hazardous training session.

"It was very timely," Delgado said.

Most of the workers at San Jose's Meridian Avenue station are very knowledgeable and have been employed with the post office for a long time, she said.

One employee, who has worked for the post office for 20 years but wished to remain anonymous, said, "I'm personally not freaking out. I don't think there is anything to be gained by it."

Another employee, who also wished to not be named, said, "I've been wearing gloves for years because my hands get so dirty, and now it might be saving me."

The post office has been conducting weekly safety talks and told workers it will provide gloves and masks to anyone wanting to wear them.

"Six to seven carriers have asked for gloves, and handlers picking up the mail in the collection boxes have asked for gloves," Delgado said. She also said the window clerks have the right to refuse any packages.

The Meridian Avenue station, which is one of the busiest in the area and also processes passport applications, has had no incidents at its location, Delgado said. The strangest thing that has happened since the first anthrax scare was a mailed glass bottle containing a homemade candle that was topped with colored sand broke and leaked.

"The sand was grainy and colored, so no one was especially worried," Delgado said. "Before we probably wouldn't have even paid any attention to it. But now the carriers are more aware."

The post office's primary concern is for the safety of its customers and employees.

"We are trying to stop it [suspicious mail] here before it gets out the door," she said.

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