Since the terrorist acts of Sept. 11, Americans have begun to fear the transport of anthrax through the U.S. Postal Service.
Over the past month, anthrax, transported in envelopes through the mail, has been reported in New York, Washington, D.C., Nevada and Florida, killing one man and infecting over 40 others.
The U.S. Postal Service delivers about 680 million pieces of mail a day and over 208 billion pieces each year.
At The University of Memphis, the post office is taking precautions when handling student mail, even though no case of anthrax has been reported.
“We are being careful about all packages,” said Renee Christopher, employee at The U of M post office. “We report any open packages and put any packages that are either leaking or look suspicious into plastic bags.”
According to the U.S. Postal Service’s web site, any package which has a powdery substance on the exterior, strange odors or stains or which has no return address is classified as a suspicious letter or parcel.
Also, the web site warned that packages of unusual weight, given their size, or packages marked “personal” or “confidential” are also to be considered suspicious pieces of mail.
If someone does receive a suspicious letter or package, the U.S. Postal Service web site advises to not open the package, isolate the mail piece, evacuate the area and call a Postal Inspector.
Sam Cox, director of mail services, said The University’s postal workers have been instructed to be more cautious of incoming mail and were supplied with protective gloves, masks and zip lock bags.
Cox said although post offices are more weary of incoming packages, mail is “running as normal.”
Although U of M officials said mail services are on regular schedule, some U of M students are worried all the safety precautions might result in stoppage of mail delivery to the campus.
For out-of-state freshmen Onica McBride and Tatarris Wilderness, it is important they receive mail to keep in touch with family and friends in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
“It would be terrible if The University stopped mail service,” said Wilderness, a pre-physical therapy major. “That is the way I keep in touch.”
McBride said she is confident The University will take care of any anthrax scare.
“If something suspicious appears on campus, I’m sure The University will catch it,” McBride said.
The University is trying to put an end to pranks being pulled in the aftermath of the anthrax scare.
Anyone involved with the planning or execution of an anthrax prank will be prosecuted at state and federal levels, and could be fined millions of dollars, according to Curt Guenther, assistant director of media relations.
“Anybody involved will receive five to 30 years in prison,” Guenther said.
