Postal Service brings in the masks and gloves

By Randolph Schmid

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Millions of face masks and gloves are arriving at post offices across the country as the U.S. Postal Service rushes to deal with the threat of mailed anthrax.

"We are continuing to take every possible action to protect our employees and the public, and we are doing that while keeping the mail moving," Deputy Postmaster General John Nolan said Thursday.

"Obviously, mail is an indispensable part of our everyday life in America, and we’re just not going to give in to this terrorism," Nolan said.

The actions came as another case of inhaled anthrax was spotted, this time in a State Department employee who had handled mail at a facility in Virginia.

Mail to federal agencies passes through the post office’s contaminated Brentwood facility in Washington, D.C.

Deborah Willhite, a senior vice president of the post office, noted that the agency is urging workers in mail rooms that receive bulk mail from Brentwood to get antibiotic treatment.

She added that environmental testing for anthrax is now being expanded to cover all government mail rooms, perhaps several hundred of them.

Some 8,000 postal workers in New York, Washington, D.C., and New Jersey have been provided antibiotics as a precaution, and the medication is expected to be provided to at least 4,000 more.

"Every person affiliated with the mail system who has gone to a hospital is being investigated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," said Dr. Julie Gerberding of CDC. So far, she said, the "vast majority absolutely do not have anthrax."

Postal officials said Thursday they have bought 4 million face masks, and 2 million of them have been shipped to 140 locations, starting on the East Coast.

In addition, the agency has obtained 86 million pairs of gloves made of a high-grade industrial plastic, to supply three pairs per employee per day throughout the nation for three months. Forty-four million pairs have been shipped to offices, officials said.

Gerberding said that in addition to the protective gear, the CDC has recommended that the post office improve ventilation or perform high-density filtration of air in postal facilities.

Homeland security chief Tom Ridge announced that the Postal Service will also conduct random environmental testing at major postal facilities nationwide.

"It is strictly a precautionary measure. It is taken to protect the mail," he said. "I want to reiterate: There is no indication of any new exposure at this time at these sites."

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide. (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.