Georgie, Postal Worker, Brooklyn
By Sam Chennault
Shift Change tells the stories of ordinary people on the frontlines during a transformational period in American life. The goal of this project is to raise funds for Supply Drop Brooklyn, a charitable organization that partners with local restaurants to deliver meals to healthcare workers at affected hospitals. Your help can make a critical difference. Please visit Supply Drop and learn how you can make a contribution. For more information about this project, check out our About page.
Georgie is a postal worker in Brooklyn. This is his story.
What is your profession?
I’m a truck driver for the post office. I’ve been with them for over 25 years. I always worked in Brooklyn. I was born in Brooklyn, in Cumberland Hospital. I was a letter carrier for them at first. The letter carriers deliver the mail. I deliver everything over 2 oz. It’s easier on me.
When did you decide to work for the post office?
I took the taxi test and I got the certification. But when I got that, the post office called. People said that the benefits were better for the post office, so I took that. The job is simple and easy. I always work with my customers and try to do them right. I give them my number so they can call. I know all my customers and they know me. When I started, I let them know, “I’m Georgie from the post office.” I love my work. It’s not hard or complicated; it’s just the BS the management gives.
How has your life changed since the coronavirus struck?
Everybody is afraid, They don’t want me to get next to you. They don’t open the door for me. They just ask me to drop it there.
And I haven’t slept with my wife. She has chronic disease and we don’t want to put her in danger, so we stay separate. I haven’t kissed her. We talk on the phone. Sometimes, I open the door and we talk to each other from six or seven feet apart. She says, “I want to hug you or kiss you or make love to you, but I’m afraid.” I don’t blame her. We’ve been married for 27 years. We can manage, but if she gets sick, that’s something else…
What type of emotional support unit is around you? Family? Friends?
I have three sons. I got married when I was very young. My oldest one is 42, and he’s a construction worker, and the other one is 39. He’s a police officer. And I have another one who is 24 years old who works in a food processing company. We talk, we text each other, especially the police officer. I’m concerned for his safety. But he’s a police officer, so I was concerned even before that with the way they treat police officers. I’m concerned every day.
What are your hopes?
I hope everyone is well and people don’t keep on dying. Before this started, there was so much hatred and violence. And as this came on, there’s been less violence. People have been helping each other out. The only bad thing is that people are dying. But we’re together, people are helping one another out. People are caring more about one another.
What are you listening to?
We listen to Latin music.
