Sanders Launches Inquiry into Postal Worker Protections Against Coronavirus

BURLINGTON, March 31 — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sent a letter to Postmaster General Megan Brennan detailing troubling news reports of postal employees being urged to continue working while showing symptoms of COVID-19 illness. Postal workers also reported having to work without appropriate personal protective equipment.

“It is not an exaggeration to say that our men and women in the Postal Service, who were already performing one of the most important jobs in America, are now literally putting their own lives on the line to deliver the food, medicine, and essential supplies that hundreds of millions of Americans depend on every single day during this pandemic,” said Sanders. “The Postal Service leadership must do everything in its power to protect these heroes by immediately distributing protective gear, implementing strong workplace safety policies, and making sick leave easily available,” Sanders said. “I will look forward to hearing from the Postal Service’s leadership on what progress they have made on this absolutely urgent matter.”

Sanders’ letter urges responses by April 7th regarding concrete steps the United States Postal Service is taking to protect both its employees and customers from the spread of COVID-19. According to Nation investigation, at least 85 postal employees were suspected of having COVID-19, while postal worker Rakkhon Kim, a 50-year-old mail carrier in the Bronx, passed away due to complications related to Covid-19. The oversight letter was endorsed by the American Postal Workers Union.

Read the letter here.