Why is the Mail So Slow?

There is little question that the Post Office is slower than usual this summer.

Local residents have reported that their mail is not delivered every day. The Post Office is busier than usual because of the coronavirus pandemic. At the same time, they find it difficult to recruit and maintain personnel, say several post office employees to whom we spoke. (Don't call them "Mailmen"--they prefer letter carriers).

Also, Congress has not appropriated additional monies for overtime, due to the politics of the moment.

Personnel is hard to find for the USPS. Walking door to door, touching doorknobs and mailboxes is believed by some to expose them to Covid-19. In some cases, unemployment pays more than a job that might risk one's health.

"My husband has worked for 27 YEARS for USPS, and TODAY delivered over 300 parcels all by himself. .... and that is not including the 1st class mail," posted Collette Lavonne on Facebook.

"Everyone being home (and bored) are buying stuff on-line, so it slows delivery. It is not intentional."

"He had to go back to the office three times to deliver that kind of magnitude of mail. He is over-worked; does not get home until after 8PM, every night."

"By the Way in Santa Clarita where tomorrow it will be 108 degrees and no A/C in that Mail-truck (like your car has). And that is where a really big fire is. So just be patient and be thankful, and shut up already! Good grief; spoiled children!"