DENVER, CO – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) sent a letter to Postmaster General Megan Brennan today regarding the United States Postal Service’s decision to keep a Denver distribution center open despite coronavirus concerns from local health officials.

“Our USPS is only as strong as the health of dedicated employees allows,” DeGette wrote. “I ask you to work closely with the DDPHE to help resolve this matter in a responsible, public health focused way. Furthermore, I request you provide clarity on how your national and regional offices are working with our nation’s public health departments to ensure that the safety of each employee remains the Postal Service’s top priority.”

A PDF copy of the letter is available here.

Following is the full text:

May 22, 2020

Dear Madam Postmaster General Brennan:

I am writing regarding the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) Denver distribution center’s decision to remain open despite health officials voicing COVID-19 concerns. Most recently, the City of Denver ordered that the facility “must remain closed” until multiple COVID-19 “control measures” are met, and that “approval for reopening” would only be granted by the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE). I remain deeply concerned that remaining open over the objections of public health officials may have both short-term and long-term negative effects for USPS frontline workers and recipients of USPS services.

During these difficult times, we must prioritize the needs of mail distribution to ensure every resident can receive vital information, medical supplies, and ballots that allows us to uphold democracy during our upcoming election. However, we should not be doing so at the expense of the health and well-being of Americans across the country. To ensure such, we must follow strict, but appropriate guidance given by health officials, especially local leaders who are best equipped to assess the day-to-day situations in their respective communities. Overall, our USPS is only as strong as the health of dedicated employees allows.

I ask you to work closely with the DDPHE to help resolve this matter in a responsible, public health focused way. Furthermore, I request you provide clarity on how your national and regional offices are working with our nation’s public health departments to ensure that the safety of each employee remains the Postal Service’s top priority.

Sincerely,