The first known U.S. postal worker has died from the coronavirus, according to the National Postal Mail Handlers Union. Anthony Smith (below) was a member of Local 307 in Detroit.

Smith worked for the USPS for 30 years, and served in the Army for 12. He “was married and loved kids; he helped raise fifteen children,” the NPMHU said. “Anthony loved music, a good barbeque and singing karaoke. He was a funny man that enjoyed telling jokes and spending time with family and friends.”

U.S. Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Gerald Connolly (D-Va.) are worried the U.S. Postal Service “will not survive the summer” because of the coronavirus epidemic, and is calling for billions of dollars from the federal government. She says the postal agency has seen a “drastic” reduction in mail volume, and says the end of the USPS would imperil the delivery of prescription drugs and election ballots.

“Based on a number of briefings and warnings this week about a critical fall-off in mail across the country, it has become clear that the Postal Service will not survive the summer without immediate help from Congress and the White House,” Maloney and Connolly said in a statement Monday night, which you can read here.

The original House emergency funding for the coronavirus epidemic included extra money for the USPS. That may or may not survive in the eventual compromise approved by the House and Senate. However, Maloney and Connoly have also introduced a bill providing $25 billion to the USPS, while requiring it to prioritize medical deliveries.

As of 3 a.m. Wednesday, the U.S. had 55,225 known cases of COVID-19. They include at least 20 postal workers. The U.S. makes no mention in its latest update on the epidemic [March 22, 2020] of any impact on its mail volume. In fact, it boasts, “We are the leading delivery service for online purchases,” while Amazon.com and other mail-order merchants are reporting a surge in business caused by all the stay-at-home orders.

The New York Times looked — exhaustively — at that question. While it is impossible to say for certain that the coronavirus cannot be transmitted from the letters, flyers and packages in the mail, especially given possible mutations of the disease and the wide variety of papers and cardboards, it appears not.

David Partenheimer, a spokesman for the Postal Service, noted that the surgeon general, Dr. Jerome M. Adams, along with the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, has “indicated that there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 is being spread through the mail.”

The NYT article includes the history of quarantines (including the word’s origin) and sequestering the mail to make sure it didn’t carry disease.

“The bottom line is that there is some hypothetical risk of viable viruses surviving on mail,” Dr. James O. Lloyd-Smith of UCLA said. “But given the time periods involved, this seems like a pretty minimal risk to the general public.”

One of the experts interview by the Times simply recommends washing your hands with soap and water after handling your mail. “I want to preserve the good sanitizers for risky things, and hand washing works just as well as spraying,” said Ben Chapman of North Carolina State University.

Lloyd-Smith says he’s more worried about the mail sorters and carriers who are handling the mail as much as 12 hours a day.

[press release]
Important Changes to Canada’s Postal Service

OTTAWA, March 23, 2020 /CNW/ – Canada Post understands the important role the postal service plays and is committed to serving Canadians while taking action to keep our people and our communities safe. To do so effectively in these challenging times, we will continue to review and quickly adapt our approach with health and safety as our primary goal.

Canada Post has initiated the following changes to our delivery operations and retail postal network:

Changes to our retail Post Office network

Hours of Service: In many post offices operated by Canada Post, we will reduce hours of service, opening one hour later and closing one hour earlier to clean, restock and provide some relief to employees. As well, for the first hour of each day, we will offer priority service to those whom are at a higher risk (the elderly or people with compromised immune systems). Franchise operated post offices will follow the measures put in place by franchise operators.

We are working to keep our post offices open, but some may close due to building closures beyond our control and some smaller locations may close due to personnel reasons. In these cases, we will direct customers to the nearest operating post office.

Social & Physical Distancing: We are asking waiting customers to please space themselves 2 metres (6 feet) apart. We are working on signage and floor decals for larger post offices. For smaller offices, we will look to limit the number of customers. We are also working on clear barriers for the counter to increase safety.

Transactions: We will continue to accept cash, but are encouraging customers to pay by using the “tap” function on their debit or credit cards where possible.

Parcel pick-up: Parcels left at the post-office for pickup will not be returned-to-sender until further notice. We’ve suspended our normal 15-day hold period. We ask that customers who are feeling ill or self-isolating, to please delay their visit to the post office and to pick up their parcel when it’s safe to do so. Further changes to our parcel delivery process are below.

Changes to how we deliver

Parcel Delivery: To eliminate customer interactions at the door, reduce post office customer traffic and support social & physical distancing, we have implemented a Knock, Drop and Go approach. Delivery employees will knock or ring, choose the safest location available to leave the item and then depart for the next address. This change eliminates the need for signatures at the door and greatly reduces the number of parcels sent to our post offices for pick-up.

Items that require Proof of Age, ID or Customs payments will be sent directly from our depots to a retail post office for pick-up with no restrictions on when customers can pick up the item. Customers will receive a Delivery Notice Card in their mail letting them know which post office is holding their item for pickup.

Service guarantees: Our goal is to continue providing timely and reliable service. But to be safe, give our people time and manage potential challenges, we have suspended on On-time Delivery Guarantees for all parcel services, until further notice.

Help with Social Distancing

We please ask you to respect social and physical distancing with our employees who you may see out in the community. This will further support the social distancing initiatives we’ve implemented in our plants, depots and post offices. Like other organizations providing important services, our people are working hard under difficult circumstances.

During delivery: Please give our employees space and avoid opening the door or greeting them personally when they are at the door to deliver, or filling a community mailbox.

In post offices: When in a retail post office, please practise social distancing and the other measures that have been implemented.

While we all support social and physical distancing efforts to keep our communities safe, social interaction from a distance is still very much appreciated by our people. A simple smile and wave through the window to your delivery agent, a supportive thumbs-up to the driver of the Canada Post truck as they go by or patience and a thank you to the person working at the post office all go a very long way these days.

We thank Canadians for their patience and support during this period of significant change. We continue to follow the guidance of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) when it comes to creating new safety measures in our plants, depots, post offices as well as in our communities.

[en Francais]
Changements importants apportés au service postal du Canada

OTTAWA, le 23 mars 2020 /CNW/ – Postes Canada est consciente de l’importance du service postal et s’engage à servir les Canadiens tout en prenant des mesures pour assurer la sécurité de ses employés et de la population. Pour y arriver de manière efficace en ces temps difficiles, nous continuerons d’analyser nos approches et de les adapter rapidement en faisant de la santé et de la sécurité notre objectif principal.

Postes Canada a apporté les changements suivants à ses opérations de livraison et à son réseau de vente au détail :

Changements apportés au réseau de bureaux de poste

Heures de service : Dans de nombreux bureaux de poste exploités par Postes Canada, nous réduirons les heures de service, en ouvrant une heure plus tard et en fermant une heure plus tôt afin de nettoyer les lieux et de réapprovisionner les stocks en plus de donner un certain répit au personnel. De plus, au cours de la première heure de chaque journée, nous offrirons un service prioritaire aux personnes à risque élevé (les aînés ou les personnes dont le système immunitaire est affaibli). Les bureaux de poste franchisés suivront les mesures mises en place par les exploitants.

Nous nous efforçons de garder nos bureaux de poste ouverts, mais certains pourraient fermer en raison de fermetures d’édifices hors de notre contrôle. De plus petits emplacements pourraient aussi fermer pour des raisons liées au personnel. Dans ces cas, nous dirigerons les clients vers le bureau de poste ouvert le plus près.

Mesures d’éloignement physique et social : Nous demandons aux clients dans la file d’attente de se tenir à deux mètres (six pieds) les uns des autres. Nous concevons actuellement des affiches et des autocollants de sol pour les grands bureaux de poste. Pour les petits bureaux, nous chercherons à limiter le nombre de clients. Nous travaillons également à la création de panneaux transparents pour les comptoirs afin d’accroître la sécurité.

Transactions : Nous continuerons d’accepter l’argent comptant, mais nous encourageons les clients à utiliser la fonction de paiement sans contact de leur carte de crédit ou de débit, dans la mesure du possible.

Ramassage de colis : Les colis laissés au bureau de poste aux fins de ramassage ne seront pas renvoyés à l’expéditeur jusqu’à nouvel ordre. Nous avons suspendu notre période de retenue normale de 15 jours. Nous demandons aux clients qui se sentent malades ou qui s’isolent volontairement de retarder leur visite au bureau de poste et de ramasser leur colis lorsqu’il sera sécuritaire de le faire. Vous trouverez ci-dessous d’autres changements apportés à notre procédé de livraison des colis.

Changements apportés à nos méthodes de livraison

Livraison des colis : Afin d’éliminer les interactions avec les clients à la porte, de réduire l’achalandage aux bureaux de poste et d’appuyer les mesures d’éloignement physique et social, nous avons mis en place la politique « Sonner, déposer, quitter ». Les employés de livraison cogneront ou sonneront à la porte, choisiront l’endroit le plus sécuritaire pour déposer l’article, puis se dirigeront à l’adresse suivante. Ce changement élimine les signatures à la porte et réduit considérablement le nombre de colis envoyés à nos bureaux de poste aux fins de ramassage.

Les articles qui nécessitent une preuve d’âge, une pièce d’identité ou la perception de droits de douane seront envoyés directement de nos postes de facteurs à un bureau de poste aux fins de ramassage, sans restriction quant au moment où les clients pourront ramasser leurs articles. Les clients recevront une carte Avis de livraison par la poste qui indique à quel bureau de poste se rendre pour récupérer leurs articles.

Garanties de service : Notre objectif est de continuer à offrir des services rapides et fiables. Cependant, pour assurer notre sécurité, donner du temps à nos employés et gérer les défis potentiels, nous avons suspendu les garanties de livraison à temps pour tous les services des colis jusqu’à nouvel ordre.

Faciliter l’éloignement social

Nous vous demandons de respecter les mesures d’éloignement social et physique si vous croisez nos employés dans votre collectivité. De cette façon, vous appuierez davantage les initiatives d’éloignement social que nous avons mises en œuvre dans nos établissements, nos postes de facteurs et nos bureaux de poste. Comme dans d’autres entreprises qui fournissent des services importants, notre personnel travaille fort dans des circonstances difficiles.

Pendant la livraison : Laissez de l’espace à nos employés et évitez de leur ouvrir la porte ou de les saluer de près lorsqu’ils effectuent des livraisons à la porte ou remplissent une boîte postale communautaire.

Dans les bureaux de poste : Lorsque vous êtes dans un bureau de poste, respectez les mesures d’éloignement social et les autres mesures qui ont été mises en place.

Nous appuyons bien entendu toutes les mesures pour assurer la sécurité de la population, mais l’interaction sociale à bonne distance est toujours très appréciée par nos employés. Sourire et saluer de la main votre agent de livraison, lever le pouce en signe de soutien au conducteur d’un camion de Postes Canada lorsqu’il passe ou faire preuve de patience et remercier la personne qui travaille au bureau de poste sont tous des petits gestes qui encouragent notre personnel.

Nous remercions les Canadiens de leur patience et de leur soutien pendant cette période de changement important. Postes Canada continue de suivre les directives de l’Agence de la santé publique du Canada (ASPC) en ce qui concerne la mise en place de nouvelles mesures de sécurité dans nos établissements, nos postes de facteurs, nos bureaux de poste et nos collectivités.

As of January 26, 2020.

This page is not meant to be a comprehensive list of current U.S. Postal Rates, rather, just the ones most commonly used by individuals. For a comprehensive list from the USPS, click here.

First Class (Retail)

The domestic Priority Mail Retail Flat Rate prices are:

The domestic Priority Mail Express Retail Flat Rate prices are:

Large Envelopes (“flats”):
These should be bendable, by at least half an inch.

“First-Class Package Service—Retail,” which the USPS calls “a lightweight expedited offering used primarily by businesses for fulfillment purposes,” is for non-bendable “flats.” It includes tracking, at about half the cost of Priority Mail. However, it is not easy to produce a table for this service, because the rate now ranges from $3.80 to $4.20 for up to four ounces, depending on distance. Higher weights are available, too.

To determine a domestic zone, use this tool on the USPS website. Choose the second tab, “Get Zone for ZIP Code Pair.” Here’s the rate chart:

Thank you to VSC member Foster E. Miller III for his help on this article.

From the January 16th, 2020, Postal Bulletin:

Save Vanishing Species Semipostal Stamps Reauthorized for Sale

Under the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Act of 2013, the sale of Save Vanishing Species semipostal stamps (Item 576600) and related products have been reauthorized pursuant to Public Law 113-165.

The Postal Service™ will once again sell Save Vanishing Species semipostal stamps in 2020. Effective immediately, all Post Offices, stations, branches, and contract postal units units must return to sale the Save Vanishing Species semipostal stamps and related products. The items are also returned to sale at Stamp Fulfillment Services and on The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop. All sales of the Save Vanishing Species semipostal stamp must be tracked in AIC 081.

This stamp was first issued in 2011, and an earlier Postal Bulletin had ordered post offices to withdraw it for sale on December 31, 2019.

They’re saying a mail carrier in Southern California’s Inland Empire may have saved Christmas for many Riverside residents.

His delivery truck had broken down while making the rounds midday on Christmas Eve and he was waiting for a tow when it burst into flames.

He grabbed as many packages as he could from the truck. However, the truck and whatever the man couldn’t save were a total loss.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise newspaper reports the USPS will send a letter to all customers along the delivery route. Those who were expecting a package that might have been destroyed should contact the local USPS consumers affairs office at 858-674-2670.

We have a similar story from Osawatomie, Kansas, about 50 miles south of Kansas City. This letter carrier was able to save all the packages in his truck. The volunteer fire department posted on Facebook, “the mailman saved Christmas!”

Photos right and below by the Osawatomie fire department.

Neither postal worker was identified.

These issues will be removed from sale December 31, 2019:

472800 (Forever) Special Olympics PSA Pane of 20
473800 (Forever) Jaime Escalante PSA Pane of 20
474000 (Forever) Star Trek PSA Pane of 20
476800 (Forever) The Art of Magic Pane of 20
556600 (Forever) Kwanzaa 2016 PSA Pane of 20
560600 (Forever) National Parks Full Pane of 16
561100 (Forever) Service Cross Medals SS/12
564400 (Forever) U.S. Flag 2017 ATM Sheetlet of 18
564700 (Forever) Love Flourishes PSA Pane of 20
586800 (Forever) Classics Forever SS/6
586900 (Forever) World Stamp Show NY-2016 SS/24
589000 (Forever) Elvis Presley PSA Pane of 16
589700 (Forever) Medal of Honor: Vietnam War SS/24
589800 (Forever) Gifts of Friendship PSA SS/12
681200 (Forever) Nativity Booklet of 20
681700 (Forever) Frozen Treats Booklet of 20
760000 (Forever) Patriotic Spiral PSA Coil/10k
786200 (AddOz) Penguins PSA Coil/100
788100 (5¢) Art Deco Bird Nonprofit PSA Coil/3k
788200 (5¢) Art Deco Bird Nonprofit PSA Coil/10k
788500 (25¢) Spectrum Eagle Pre PSA Coil/10k

[press release]
Postmaster General Announces New Chairman of the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee

WASHINGTON — Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan today named Bolivar J. Bueno as chairman of the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC), effective immediately. Bueno succeeds Janet Klug, who is retiring.

A member of CSAC since 2012, Bueno is a lecturer, creative strategist and expert in building brands. A resident of Kissimmee, FL, he is founder of The Cult Branding Co., a think tank that offers consumer insight strategies, leadership coaching, brand education and training, and creative development services. [The Cult Branding Co.’s bio of Bueno is here.]

Bueno has written several books on marketing and branding, including “Why We Talk: The Truth Behind Word-of-Mouth” (2007), which aims to change the way marketers think about word-of-mouth advertising.

Klug, a noted philatelist and author, joined CSAC in 2010 and became chairman in 2014. She previously served as president of the American Philatelic Society and also chaired the New Initiatives Committee of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum Council of Philatelists.

A lifelong stamp collector, Klug writes regularly about stamps and collecting for Linn’s Stamp News and Scott Stamp Monthly magazine. Her articles have appeared in The American Philatelist, Stamp Collector magazine, and Global Stamp News. She also wrote the Smithsonian Guide to Stamp Collecting (2008) and 100 Greatest American Stamps (2007), co-authored with Donald Sundman.

Postmaster General Brennan thanked Klug for her years of service on CSAC and to the Postal Service. “We appreciate Janet’s dedication and enthusiasm for our stamp program,” said Brennan. “We wish her well in retirement and look forward to working with Bolivar in his new role.”

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

[press release] See additional material at the bottom
United States Postal Service Announces Retirement of Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan

WASHINGTON — The United States Postal Service today announced that Megan J. Brennan, Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer, is retiring effective Jan. 31, 2020.

“Megan Brennan is a devoted public servant who has helped lead the United States Postal Service through some very challenging circumstances,” said Robert M. Duncan, Chairman of the Board of Governors. “The Governors greatly appreciate her leadership and devotion to the Postal Service.”

“Having begun her career as a letter carrier more than three decades ago, Megan has a fundamental understanding of the important role this organization plays in communities around the country and to our broader economy,” said Duncan. “She has been a strong advocate for postal employees and customers. We especially appreciate her recent leadership of the Postal Service’s efforts to make significant changes to the international mail system, and level the playing field for American businesses.”

“In the months to come, the Governors will conduct a nationwide search for the 75th Postmaster General of the United States, while continuing to work with Postmaster General Brennan through a successful holiday season and a seamless transition in leadership,” Duncan added.

Brennan expressed her sincere gratitude to the men and women of the United States Postal Service. “I have had the privilege to work with you over the course of my 33-year career. You embody the spirit of public service, you earn the trust of the American people every day, and you continually reinforce my reverence for this institution and my abiding belief in our mission.”

Brennan is the 74th Postmaster General and first woman to serve in this role. Upon her retirement she will have served in the position for five years. Brennan previously served as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of the Postal Service for four years, and held prior roles as Vice President of both Eastern Area and Northeast Area Operations. Brennan began her Postal Service career as a letter carrier in Lancaster, PA.

As Postmaster General, Brennan advanced technology and customer-centric strategies to invest in the future of the Postal Service and to shape growth opportunities for the organization and the industries it serves. These strategies encompassed better use of data and technology, improved speed-to-market of product and service innovations, continuously improved processes throughout the organization, and fully engaged and leveraged the talents of the organization’s 635,000-employee workforce.

“When I was appointed Postmaster General, I made a commitment to the Board of Governors that I would serve for five years and it has been my absolute honor to do so,” said Brennan. “I feel a deep responsibility to this organization and to its future. The advance notice of my retirement will allow the Board adequate time to conduct an executive search, select the next Postmaster General, and ensure a seamless transition.”

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

The Washington Post suggests Brennan’s departure may have been the result of months of complaints from President Trump. (“Postmaster general who was the target of Trump’s ire announces retirement.”) “Officials” denied that to the Post. The story, however, goes on to detail all the criticism Brennan got from the administration.