The highly publicized cases of anthrax-tainted letters delivered since Sept. 11 have generated understandable concern among the general population and put new pressures on the U.S. postal system and its 800,000-strong corps of workers.
The opening of an anthrax-laced letter addressed to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle on Oct. 15 led to an unprecedented temporary closure of congressional office buildings as work sites were scrutinized for contamination and thousands of Hill employees were tested for exposure to the toxic bacteria.
Opened in the Hart Senate Office Building, the poisonous contents in the Daschle letter have been determined to be a highly concentrated variety, containing a potentially lethal version of anthrax spores. In fact, two deaths of U.S. Postal Service employees in Washington, D.C. have been attributed to the tainted letter. So far, three deaths in the United States have been attributed to inhalation anthrax since Sept. 11. And at least 11 others have contracted either cutaneous anthrax, which causes lesions to form on the skin, or the more serious inhaled version.
As innocent victims in Florida, New York, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. contend with another unprecedented terrorist assault in the U.S., millions of Americans across the country are left wondering about the safety and security of an integral part of every day life: the U.S. mail system.
The postal service advises folks to use caution and common sense when opening their mail. Letters or packages with no return address or one different from the postmark, misspelled names or street addresses and excessive postage, tape or wrapping ought to trigger suspicion by the recipient. And it wouldn’t hurt to wash your hands with warm soap and water after handling mail.
The United States Postal Service has issued safety guidelines for customers and consumers to protect the general public and instituted new security procedures to safeguard its work force. The USPS adopted a four-part campaign to ensure the integrity of the postal system and keep its doors open for business. Through education, investigation, intervention and prevention, the postal service is taking action to stop terrorists from using it as a means to deliver biological or chemical warfare on innocent Americans.
Using technology already being used to sanitize food and medicine in this country, the postal service is taking immediate steps to purchase new equipment and research other technological tools that would help destroy biological agents sent through the mail. Postal employees are encouraged to use newly acquired face masks and gloves being shipped to service stations and mail processing centers across the country.
Since Oct. 15, mail delivery was stopped indefinitely on Capitol Hill. While some Hill office buildings have been given the green light to re-open after thorough testing, my personal office is located in the Hart Building where the anthrax-tainted letter was opened. Although legislative business continues in the House and Senate, my staff won’t be able to return to their normal work spaces until the area passes environmental safety inspection. So I encourage Iowans with any business or inquiry that requires urgent attention to contact one of my six state offices in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Sioux City or Waterloo. Folks also can send an e-mail to: chuck_grassley@senate.gov or use the form on my web site at http://grassley.senate.gov/webform to register a point of view or place a request with my office.
Twice in the last two months, terrorism has struck the United States. Americans woke up to a new era on Sept. 12 after the horrific hijackings from the day prior. For awhile, it paralyzed the nation’s air transportation system. Now a string of anthrax-related attacks has put the nation’s mail delivery system under siege.
Americans can rest assured that all levels of government, from the military to law enforcement, postal service and public health entities are mobilizing to prepare and respond to terrorist threats facing our country. As the president has suggested, Americans can join the fight for freedom by exercising vigilance and keeping up with our daily lives. That includes going to work and school, shopping, getting on planes and patronizing the post office. Notwithstanding the devastating loss of human life and formidable economic consequences attributable to the recent acts of terror, the United States will emerge a stronger, more unified nation.