CSULB Online 49er: v9n49: CSULB cautious about mail handling

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CSULB cautious about mail handling

By Alisha Gomez
On-line Forty-Niner

With the scare of anthrax, mail handling has become a concern to many people. At Cal State Long Beach, mailroom employees have received specific training and some students are even taking precautions with their own mail.

"Staff and students [in the mailroom] have received training by [the U.S. Postal Service] and a mail services supervisor on how to handle mail in light of anthrax," said Mitra Nejat, mail services coordinator at CSULB. "They will become more cautious and aware by looking more closely on what they sort and receive by USPS or the campus community."

The training from USPS was at a sheriff's station in Monterey Park that involved people from the governor's office speaking with the employees and handing out a sheet of what anthrax is.

"They went over what to do if you get a letter with anthrax and what it is," said Mike Waddell, a mail clerk on campus. "They told us to wear rubber gloves and said if you think you have a letter with anthrax to drop the letter, leave it where it is, wash your hands with warm soapy water and take off any piece of clothing that it might have gotten on."

The training on campus was conducted by a police officer on campus who is a reserve and has instructed soldiers on chemical warfare. Waddell said that that particular training was more about chemical warfare.

Though Nejat said the mailroom has not received any scares, she said there has been occasions where the mailroom has received mail without a return address, causing the staff and students to question its content.

"Mail received from campus basically is considered safe because it is traceable to the department that is sending the piece out. [Mail with] no return addresses are somewhat questionable," she said.

Waddell said that other suspicious mail includes an overly taped package, any packages or mail with wires or grease coming out and mail that has too much postage.

"At first we all were concerned, but I think with the training and more knowledge we are doing much better," Nejat said. She said that no employees have quit so far.

Student concern about anthrax varies. Veronica Rodriguez, a senior in broadcast journalism said she is not worried.

"I don't think it's an issue in the West Coast, not yet," Rodriguez said. However, she does take a second look at strange mail.

"I look at it if it is from someone I don't know and the thought [of anthrax] comes across my mind," she said. "I have had some suspicious mail and I've thought twice about it."

Rodriguez said she thinks that the media are more alert and frightened than the rest of the public because they have been targeted. She thinks that is why they are making a big issue of anthrax.

Ayman Jabbouri, a senior in civil engineering feels just the opposite of Rodriguez.

"I throw all my junk mail out," Jabbouri said. He puts any suspicious mail in the microwave for 60 seconds.

"I heard on Fox news that if you microwave it for 60 seconds, it kills the spores."

Jabbouri said that the television coverage has definitely caused him to be cautious.

"It's like every time I watch the news, someone dies [from anthrax]," Jabbouri said. "I think it's really been going to certain places. I don't think I am going to get mail with anthrax or die, but the media has surely caused me to be scared."

Ralph Herrera and Kenrick Sanderlin, both seniors in civil engineering, are not concerned about their mail.

"I am not at all afraid. I am not important that somebody would want to target me," Herrera said. "The media is blowing this whole thing out of proportion and there's only been five deaths."

Sanderlin feels the same way. "Who wants to get me?" he said. "I am more observant and not really too concerned."

Sanderlin said he sees anthrax as more of an East Coast issue.

"There's no legitimate feeling for people to be concerned," Sanderlin said, talking about people who live on the West Coast.