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.”
5434 (55¢) Celebrate
5435 (55¢) Wild Orchids coil stamp, Platanthera grandiflora, serpentine die cut 10¾ vert.
5436 (55¢) Wild Orchids coil stamp, Cyrtopodium polyphyllum, serpentine die cut 10¾ vert.
5437 (55¢) Wild Orchids coil stamp, Calopogon tuberosus, serpentine die cut 10¾ vert.
5438 (55¢) Wild Orchids coil stamp, Spiranthes odorata, serpentine die cut 10¾ vert.
5439 (55¢) Wild Orchids coil stamp, Triphora trianthophorus (two flowers), serpentine die cut 10¾ vert.
5440 (55¢) Wild Orchids coil stamp, Cypripedium californicum, serpentine die cut 10¾ vert.
5441 (55¢) Wild Orchids coil stamp, Hexalectris spicata, serpentine die cut 10¾ vert.
5442 (55¢) Wild Orchids coil stamp, Cypripedium reginae, serpentine die cut 10¾ vert.
5443 (55¢) Wild Orchids coil stamp, Platanthera leucophaea, serpentine die cut 10¾ vert.
5444 (55¢) Wild Orchids coil stamp, Triphora trianthophorus (one flower), serpentine die cut 10¾ vert.
a. Horiz. strip of 10, #5435-5444
5445 (55¢) Wild Orchids booklet stamp, Triphora trianthophorus (two flowers), serpentine die cut 10¾x11 on 2 or 3 sides
5446 (55¢) Wild Orchids booklet stamp, Cypripedium californiacum, serpentine die cut 10¾x11 on 2 or 3 sides
5447 (55¢) Wild Orchids booklet stamp, Hexalectris spicata, serpentine die cut 10¾x11 on 2 or 3 sides
5448 (55¢) Wild Orchids booklet stamp, Cypripedium reginae, serpentine die cut 10¾x11 on 2 or 3 sides
5449 (55¢) Wild Orchids booklet stamp, Spiranthes odorata, serpentine die cut 10¾x11 on 2 or 3 sides
5450 (55¢) Wild Orchids booklet stamp, Platanthera leucophaea, serpentine die cut 10¾x11 on 2 or 3 sides
5451 (55¢) Wild Orchids booklet stamp, Triphora trianthophorus (one flower), serpentine die cut 10¾x11 on 2 or 3 sides
5452 (55¢) Wild Orchids booklet stamp, Platanthera grandiflora, serpentine die cut 10¾x11 on 2 or 3 sides
5453 (55¢) Wild Orchids booklet stamp, Cyrtopodium polyphyllum, serpentine die cut 10¾x11 on 2 or 3 sides
5454 (55¢) Wild Orchids booklet stamp, Calopogon tuberosus, serpentine die cut 10¾x11 on 2 or 3 sides
a. Block of 10, #5445-5454
b. Convertible booklet pane of 20, 2 each #5445-5454
5455 (55¢) Arnold Palmer
[press release via Google Translate]
The Hague, April 4, 2020 – It is 75 years ago this year that the Netherlands was liberated. On the occasion of this anniversary, PostNL is issuing the stamp sheet “75 years of freedom”.
Born in freedom
The 75 years of freedom stamp sheet consists of 6 stamps in 2 designs. The first design contains a portrait of Jan van der Linden, born on May 5, 1945. The second design contains a portrait of the pregnant Yvette Hartman-Mercier in the same style. The birth of her son is due on May 5, 2020. The 2 dates are on the stamps, with the mention “born in freedom”.
Commemoration and celebration
In 2019 and 2020, the Netherlands will commemorate the end of World War II 75 years ago. On May 4, we commemorate all victims – civilians and military personnel – who have been killed or murdered in the Kingdom of the Netherlands or anywhere in the world since 
the outbreak of World War II, in war situations and in peace operations. On May 5 we celebrate the liberation of the Netherlands in 1945 and that we have lived in freedom ever since.
The youngest and the oldest
The design of the stamp sheetlet 75 years of freedom is by Gijs van den Berg, creative director and partner of KesselsKramer in Amsterdam. The portraits were taken by photographer Bert Teunissen, also from Amsterdam. Teunissen photographed 76 people, 1 for each year of birth that has passed since the liberation on May 5, 1945. The oldest and the youngest are on the stamps.
Impressive stories
The 76 years of birth since the liberation have been used as the overarching theme for this commemoration year: one lives for 75 years in freedom, the other 14, 57 or 39 years, and 
so on. Van den Berg: “The stories themselves can be read in the book published on the occasion of 75 years of freedom. A book about impressive people with a story, a story with a relationship with war and peace. From relatives of resistance fighters and Holocaust victims to refugees from war zones and military personnel who have been on a peace mission. ”
Availability
The 75 years of freedom stamp sheet consists of 6 stamps in 2 different designs with the value indication Nederland 1, intended for mail up to 20 grams with a destination within the Netherlands. The stamps will be available from April 4 at the post office in the Bruna stores and through the website. The stamps can also be ordered by telephone from the Collect Club customer service on telephone number 088 – 868 99 00. The period of validity is indefinite.
75 jaar vrijheid op postzegels
Den Haag, 4 april 2020 – Het is dit jaar 75 jaar geleden dat Nederland bevrijd werd. PostNL geeft ter gelegenheid van dit jubileum het postzegelvel ’75 jaar vrijheid’ uit.
Geboren in vrijheid
Het postzegelvel 75 jaar vrijheid telt 6 postzegels in 2 ontwerpen. In het 1e ontwerp is een portret opgenomen van Jan van der Linden, geboren op 5 mei 1945. In het 2e ontwerp staat in dezelfde stijl een portret van de zwangere Yvette Hartman-Mercier. De geboorte van haar zoon is uitgerekend op 5 mei 2020. De 2 data staan op de postzegels, met de vermelding ‘geboren in vrijheid’.
Herdenking en viering
In 2019 en 2020 wordt in Nederland herdacht dat 75 jaar geleden de Tweede Wereldoorlog ten einde kwam. Op 4 mei herdenken we alle slachtoffers – burgers en militairen – die in het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden of waar ook ter wereld zijn omgekomen of vermoord sinds het uitbreken van de Tweede Wereldoorlog, in oorlogssituaties en bij vredesoperaties. Op 5 mei vieren we de bevrijding van Nederland in 1945 en dat we sindsdien in vrijheid leven.
De jongste en de oudste
Het ontwerp van het postzegelvel 75 jaar vrijheid is van de hand van Gijs van den Berg, creative director en partner van KesselsKramer in Amsterdam. De portretten zijn gemaakt door fotograaf Bert Teunissen, ook uit Amsterdam. Teunissen fotografeerde 76 mensen, 1 voor elk geboortejaar dat sinds de bevrijding op 5 mei 1945 is verstreken. De oudste en de jongste staan op de postzegels.
Indrukwekkende verhalen
De 76 geboortejaren sinds de bevrijding zijn gebruikt als overkoepelend thema voor dit herdenkingsjaar: de een leeft 75 jaar in vrijheid, de ander 14, 57 of 39 jaar, enzovoort. Van den Berg: “De verhalen zelf zijn te lezen in het boek dat ter gelegenheid van 75 jaar vrijheid verschijnt. Een boek over indrukwekkende mensen met een verhaal, een verhaal met een relatie met oorlog en vrede. Van familieleden van verzetsstrijders en Holocaustslachtoffers tot vluchtelingen uit oorlogsgebieden en militairen die op vredesmissie zijn geweest.”
Verkrijgbaarheid
Het postzegelvel 75 jaar vrijheid telt 6 postzegels in 2 verschillende ontwerpen met de waardeaanduiding Nederland 1, bedoeld voor post tot en met 20 gram met een bestemming binnen Nederland. De postzegels zijn vanaf 4 april verkrijgbaar bij het postkantoor in de Bruna-winkels en via de website. De postzegels zijn ook telefonisch te bestellen bij de klantenservice van Collect Club op telefoonnummer 088 – 868 99 00. De geldigheidstermijn is onbepaald.
[press release]
U.S. Postal Service Reveals Additional Stamps for 2020
U.S. Flag Envelope and Ruth Asawa Coming Soon
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Postal Service today announced two new stamp subjects for 2020. Details about the stamp dedication ceremonies and dates these new products will be available to purchase will be announced soon. All images are preliminary and are subject to change prior to printing.
U.S. Flag Stamped Envelope
A familiar sight on public buildings and private homes alike, the American flag has been portrayed in myriad ways on U.S. postage. This stamped envelope features a graphic design of the flag that evokes a rich sense of history even as it presents a recognizable icon in a fresh, contemporary way. Kit Hinrichs created the artwork for this stamped envelope. Ethel Kessler served as art director. [Further details will be posted here.]
Ruth Asawa
With these stamps, the U.S. Postal Service honors pioneering Japanese American artist Ruth Asawa (1926-2013). Showcasing Asawa’s wire sculptures, the pane includes 20 stamps, with two each of 10 designs, featuring photographs by Dan Bradica and Laurence Cuneo. The selvage features a photograph of Asawa taken by Nat Farbman in 1954 for Life magazine. Ethel Kessler served as art director and designer. [Further details will be posted here.]
Commenting has been turned off for this message. Go to the individual issues for commenting.
Announced by the USPS April 3rd, 2020, with no date of issue given: With these stamps, the U.S. Postal Service honors pioneering Japanese American artist Ruth Asawa (1926-2013). Showcasing Asawa’s wire sculptures, the pane includes 20 stamps, with two each of 10 designs, featuring photographs by Dan Bradica and Laurence Cuneo. The selvage features a photograph of Asawa taken by Nat Farbman in 1954 for Life magazine. Ethel Kessler served as art director and designer.
These stamps will be issued Thursday, August 13, in San Francisco, CA.
The stamps may be purchased here. The Scott catalogue numbers for this issue are:
5504 Three Untitled Sculptures from 1958, 1978 and 1959
5505 Untitled Sculpture from 1959
5506 Untitled Sculpture from 1958
5507 Untitled Sculpture from 1955
5508 Untitled Sculpture from 1955, different
5509 Untitled Sculpture from 1980
5510 Untitled Sculpture from 1978
5511 Untitled Sculpture from 1952
5512 Untitled Sculpture from 1954
5513 Six Untitled Sculptures from various years
a. Block of 10, #5504-5513
Further information will appear below the line, with the newest items at the top.
Updated August 6th:
This will have a virtual first day ceremony:
[press release]
U.S. Postal Service Honors Sculptor and Arts Education Advocate Ruth Asawa With Forever Stamps
WHAT: The U.S. Postal Service will dedicate stamps honoring pioneering Japanese American artist Ruth Asawa (1926-2013), who is perhaps best known for her intricate abstract wire sculptures.
News of the stamps is being shared with the hashtag #RuthAsawaStamps.
WHO: Sharon Owens, vice president, Pricing and Costing, U.S. Postal Service
George Takei, trustee, chair emeritus of the board of trustees and founding member, Japanese American National Museum
Jonathan Laib, director, David Zwirner
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. EDT
WHERE: The virtual stamp event will be hosted on the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook and Twitter pages. For more information, visit usps.com/asawastamps.
BACKGROUND: Inspired by natural elements such as plants, snail shells, spiderwebs, insect wings and water droplets, Ruth Asawa transformed industrial material into transparent and seemingly weightless works of art that challenged traditional definitions of 
sculpture. When shown together, her sculptures can evoke an undersea domain, a magical upside-down world or an environment all their own. A tireless advocate of community-based arts education, she is also acclaimed for her drawings, paintings, prints and large public projects.
Showcasing Asawa’s wire sculptures, this pane features 20 stamps, two each of 10 designs:
Untitled (S.039, Hanging Five Spiraling Columns of Open Windows), 1959
Untitled (S.042, Hanging Three-Lobed Continuous Form, With a Sphere in the Second Lobe and an Open Sphere Suspended From the Bottom), 1954The selvage features a photograph of Asawa taken by Nat Farbman in 1954 for Life magazine.
Asawa began making sculptures in 1947 and soon discovered that, in addition to single-layered sculptures, she could also create continuous or intersecting surfaces. Sensual and organic, these multilayered yet still transparent works created a dynamic interplay between interior and exterior surfaces.
Since her death in 2013, public and critical appraisal of her work has continued to reach wider audiences, with much-lauded exhibitions and publications organized by major museums and galleries across the country.
Ethel Kessler served as art director and designer for this stamp pane.
The Ruth Asawa stamps are being issued as Forever stamps, which means they will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.
Updated July 12th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:
The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.49″ x 1.50″ 
The pictorial postmark measures 2.54″ x 1.04″
The “special” postmark other post offices may use for this issue measures 2.19″ x 1.0″
Updated July 3rd, from the Postal Bulletin:
On August 13, 2020, in San Francisco, CA, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Ruth Asawa stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in 10 designs, in a 
pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 20 stamps (Item 476300). The stamps will go on sale nationwide August 13, 2020, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The Ruth Asawa pane of 20 stamps may not be split and the stamps may not be sold individually.
With these stamps, the Postal Service™ honors pioneering Japanese American artist Ruth Asawa (1926–2013). Showcasing Asawa‘s wire sculptures, the pane includes 20 stamps, two each of 10 designs, featuring photographs by Laurence Cuneo and Dan Bradica for David Zwirner gallery. The selvage features a photograph of Asawa taken by Nat Farbman in 1954 for Life magazine. Ethel Kessler served as art director and designer for this issuance.
Availability to Post Offices: Item 476300, Ruth Asawa (Forever Priced at the First-Class Mail Rate) Pane of 20 Stamps: No automatic distribution.
How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office™ or at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:
FDOI – Ruth Asawa Stamps
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by December 13, 2020.
Technical Specifications:
Issue: Ruth Asawa Stamps
Item Number: 476300
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (10 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: August 13, 2020, San Francisco, CA 94188
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Existing Art: Ruth Asawa
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 18,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America
Colors: Custom Pantone Black 6, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.42 in./ 21.336 x 36.068 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.98 x 1.56 in./24.892 x 39.624 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.93 x 7.12 in./201.422 x 180.848 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 21.61 x 24.596 in./548.894 x 624.738 mm
Plate Size: 180 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by five (5) single digits in two corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: Ruth Asawa — Artist 1926-2013 • Plate number in bottom two corners
Back: ©2020 USPS • USPS logo • 2 barcodes (476300) • Plate position diagram (9) • Promotional text
[press release, English from Google Translate] [full pane at the bottom]
Stamps Map First Atlases
The Hague, March 24, 2020 – In 2020 it will be 450 years since the very first atlas appeared in print, in Antwerp. Soon more atlases followed, mainly published in the 
Netherlands. With the issue of the “The first atlases” stamp sheet on March 23, PostNL pays attention to 6 notable publishers, their atlases and their maps.
Scenic from the ground
In 1570 Abraham Ortelius published the first atlas in Antwerp, with the Latin title Theatrum orbis terrarum (literally: the scene of the earth’s soil). Antwerp and Amsterdam were important centers for the atlas. That had everything to do with the prominent position of the Netherlands in international trade and shipping.
Portraits and maps
Next to Abraham Ortelius are Gerard de Jode, Gerard Mercator, Jodocus Hondius, Willem 
Jansz. Blaeu and Johannes Janssonius on the stamps The first atlases. These publishers from the low countries were responsible for all kinds of beautiful atlases published in the 16th and 17th centuries. The stamps show not only portraits of the 6 publishers, but also maps of the Netherlands from their atlases. All maps shown are from atlases from the Allard Pierson | collection The Collections of the UvA. The portraits were made available by the Rijksmuseum.
Nod in the middle
Because of the legibility, the cards have been placed on the stamp as large as possible. That is why Maud van Rossum, the designer of the stamp sheetlet, left out the page mirror of the atlas page as much as possible. She left only a small border as a frame. The kink in the heart of the page can also still be seen, after all, the map comes from an atlas.
Availability
The stamp sheet The first atlases has 6 different stamps with the international value indication 1, intended for mail up to 20 grams with an international destination. The stamps will be available from March 23 at the post office in the Bruna stores and on the website. The stamps can also be ordered by telephone from the Collect Club customer service on telephone number 088 – 868 99 00. The period of validity is indefinite.
Postzegels brengen eerste atlassen in kaart
Den Haag, 24 maart 2020 – In 2020 is het 450 jaar geleden dat de allereerste atlas in druk verscheen, in Antwerpen. Al snel volgden er meer atlassen, die vooral in de Nederlanden werden uitgegeven. Met de uitgifte op 23 maart van het postzegelvel ‘De eerste atlassen’ besteedt PostNL aandacht aan 6 opmerkelijke uitgevers, hun atlassen en hun kaarten.
Toneel van de aardbodem
In 1570 bracht Abraham Ortelius in Antwerpen de eerste atlas uit, met de Latijnse titel Theatrum orbis terrarum (letterlijk: het toneel van de aardebodem). Antwerpen en Amsterdam waren belangrijke centra voor de atlas. Dat had alles te maken met de vooraanstaande positie van de Nederlanden in de internationale handel en scheepvaart.
Portretten en kaarten
Naast Abraham Ortelius staan Gerard de Jode, Gerard Mercator, Jodocus Hondius, Willem Jansz. Blaeu en Johannes Janssonius op de postzegels De eerste atlassen. Deze uitgevers uit de lage landen waren verantwoordelijk voor allerlei prachtige atlassen die in de 16e en 17e eeuw zijn uitgeven. Op de postzegels zijn niet alleen portretten van de 6 uitgevers te zien, maar ook van kaarten van de Nederlanden uit hun atlassen. Alle afgebeelde kaarten komen uit atlassen uit de collectie Allard Pierson | De Collecties van de UvA. De portretten werden door het Rijksmuseum beschikbaar gesteld.
Knik in het midden
Vanwege de leesbaarheid zijn de kaarten zo groot mogelijk op de postzegel geplaatst. Daarom liet Maud van Rossum, de ontwerper van het postzegelvel, de bladspiegel van de atlaspagina zo veel mogelijk weg. Alleen een klein randje liet zij als omkadering staan. Ook de knik in het hart van de pagina is nog te zien, de kaart komt immers uit een atlas.
Verkrijgbaarheid
Het postzegelvel De eerste atlassen telt 6 verschillende postzegels met de waardeaanduiding internationaal 1, bedoeld voor post tot en met 20 gram met een internationale bestemming. De postzegels zijn vanaf 23 maart verkrijgbaar bij het postkantoor in de Bruna-winkels en via de website. De postzegels zijn ook telefonisch te bestellen bij de klantenservice van Collect Club op telefoonnummer 088 – 868 99 00. De geldigheidstermijn is onbepaald.
[press release, English from Google Translate] [full pane illustration at bottom]
New stamps with the favorite toppings of young and old
The Hague, March 24, 2020 – The latest PostNL stamps contain the favorite sandwich spread of young and old in our country: sprinkles. The issue “Typically Dutch – Sprinkles” is the third in this series this year.
Successor to the beautiful Netherlands
The 6 equal stamps have the value indication 1 for mail up to and including 20 grams with a destination within the Netherlands. The sprinkles stamps were designed by graphic designer Edwin van Praet of Total Design. The photos were taken by Scrambled Media. Typically Dutch is the successor to Mooi Nederland, a series that has been published for 15 years.
More than a hundred years old
The oldest site for mentioning sprinkles as a sandwich spread is a Drenthe newspaper from the year 1913. Since then sprinkles are indispensable, but it is only available in the Netherlands, Indonesia, Suriname and Belgium. In other countries, similar products are for sale, but for sprinkling cakes. Different types of sprinkles are available, such as fruit sprinkles, aniseed sprinkles and – most important of course – chocolate sprinkles. According to the Commodities Act Decree on Cocoa and Chocolate, chocolate sprinkles must contain at least 32 percent cocoa.
Pure sprinkles on bread
On the stamps Typically Dutch – sprinkles is a brown sandwich with butter and sprinkles on it, lying on a white plate with a knife and fork on either side. There are also some loose grains of sprinkles on the plate. Designer Van Praet: “Who in the Netherlands has not grown up with sprinkles? I certainly. As a child you first realize how typical Dutch sprinkles are when you go on holiday abroad. There are different types of chocolate sprinkles, but pure is of course the best. And it looks powerful in the photo. Just as the cut bread is the most beautiful bread to photograph in terms of shape. ”
Availability
The stamp sheetlet Typically Dutch – sprinkles has 6 equal stamps with the value indication Netherlands 1, intended for mail up to 20 grams with a destination within the Netherlands. The stamps will be available from March 23, 2020 at the post office in the Bruna stores and through the website. The stamps can also be ordered by telephone from the Collect Club customer service on telephone number 088 – 868 99 00. The period of validity is indefinite.
Nieuwe postzegels met het favoriete broodbeleg van jong en oud
Den Haag, 24 maart 2020 – Op de nieuwste postzegels van PostNL staat het favoriete broodbeleg van jong en oud in ons land: hagelslag. De uitgifte ‘Typisch Nederlands – hagelslag’ is de derde uit deze serie dit jaar.
Opvolger Mooi Nederland
Op de 6 gelijke postzegels staat de waardeaanduiding 1 voor post tot en met 20 gram met een bestemming binnen Nederland. Het ontwerp van de hagelslagpostzegels is van de hand van grafisch ontwerper Edwin van Praet van Total Design. De foto’s zijn gemaakt door Scrambled Media. Typisch Nederlands is de opvolger van Mooi Nederland, een serie die 15 jaar lang is verschenen.
Ruim honderd jaar oud
De oudste vindplaats voor de vermelding van hagelslag als boterhambeleg is een krant uit Drenthe uit het jaar 1913. Sindsdien is hagelslag niet meer weg te denken, maar het ligt alleen in Nederland, Indonesië, Suriname en België in de winkel. In andere landen zijn wel soortgelijke producten te koop, maar dan om taarten mee te bestrooien. Er zijn verschillende soorten hagelslag verkrijgbaar, zoals vruchtenhagel, anijshagel en – de belangrijkste natuurlijk – chocoladehagelslag. Volgens het Warenwetbesluit Cacao en chocolade moet chocoladehagelslag minstens 32 procent cacao bevatten.
Pure hagelslag op knipbrood
Op de postzegels Typisch Nederlands – hagelslag is een bruine boterham afgebeeld met daarop boter en hagelslag, liggend op een wit bord met een mes en vork aan weerszijden. Op het bord liggen ook wat losse korreltjes hagelslag. Ontwerper Van Praet: “Wie in Nederland is er nu niet met hagelslag opgegroeid? Ik zeker. Je beseft als kind voor het eerst hoe typisch Nederlands hagelslag is als je naar het buitenland met vakantie gaat. Er zijn verschillende soorten chocoladehagelslag, maar puur is natuurlijk het lekkerst. En het ziet er krachtig uit op de foto. Net zoals het knipbrood qua vorm het mooiste brood is om te fotograferen.”
Verkrijgbaarheid
Het postzegelvel Typisch Nederlands – hagelslag telt 6 gelijke postzegels met de waardeaanduiding Nederland 1, bedoeld voor post tot en met 20 gram met een bestemming binnen Nederland. De postzegels zijn vanaf 23 maart 2020 verkrijgbaar bij het postkantoor in de Bruna-winkels en via de website. De postzegels zijn ook telefonisch te bestellen bij de klantenservice van Collect Club op telefoonnummer 088 – 868 99 00. De geldigheidstermijn is onbepaald.
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.
