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Is COVID-19 the Only Enemy?

Is COVID-19 the Only Enemy?
By Dioenis D. Perez
Long Island, NY, Branch 202 Vice President and Postmaster of Syosset

Only six months into the New Year, we’re still receiving multiple reports across the country of COVID-19 infecting our employees and EAS members. At what point does everyone start preaching to their families at home the same, strict COVID-19 safety procedures they are taught at work?

The CDC information I’ve read indicates children are passing the virus to their parents. The same thing happens in the USPS; we are no different. I understand many of us regard this topic differently. Some don’t want the government telling them how to live. I’m not about to be the one to tell you, either.

However, after the better part of 16 months, one has to understand life is different for obvious reasons. There need to be procedures uniformly applied in order to eliminate this horrible disease. We all have to put our personal beliefs aside and pull 100%in the same direction to eliminate the pandemic. We need to be leaders not just at work, but at home with our families, as well.

“Why?” you ask. In two months, we will be dealing with prime vacation time; there will be open assignments in every office. You will be pivoting at least 20% of your routes at some point during the summer—a nightmare for customer service. The delivery window of 7 and 8 p.m. will be scrutinized daily. There will be no pre-tour OT allowed.

Now, more than ever, we need attendance to be 100% because it is estimated by the CDC that 30% of the population will not want the vaccine. Even with the vaccine, you still may catch COVID-19, but the virus’ severity should be lessened.

Add to the mix the USPS’ new, liberal thinking concerning CCAs and how to mentor them. Someone had the idea to work them only 40 hours, then give them a day or two of rest in hopes they will stay. This would create a new employee who doesn’t want to work extra hours or six days when needed and animosity among the regulars who are ordered to work while new CCAs are given a day of rest.

I’m already visualizing the stress EAS employees will be under this summer. Is it because of the orders with which we are given to work? Or is the real enemy COVID-19 isn’t taken as seriously as it should be by our family members?