RBC | “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds,” is inscribed in stone over the entrance to the New York City Post Office. While it’s not an official motto, these days one could add pandemic to that list. Considered a critical service, post offices are continuing to provide an essential service during the stay at home order, and following guidelines for health and safety.
In Meeker, the post office is being cleaned and sanitized frequently, according to Meeker Postmaster Kevin Orlowitz, who asked that patrons “abide by the 6 ft. rule” in and around the building.
Is it safe to pick up your mail? Experts say your mail is not likely to expose you to the new coronavirus. A statement from the World Health Organization shared on the USPS website states, “the likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled, and been exposed to different conditions and temperature is also low.”
And according to the Centers for Disease Control, “in general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures. Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets. Currently there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with imported goods and there have not been any cases of COVID-19 in the United States associated with imported goods.”
By Niki Turner | [email protected]
