Because the anthrax crisis directly affected the Postal Service's 800,000 employees as well as the general public, it posed both an internal and external communications
challenge for Jaffer and his staff of about 100. To reassure employees, the USPS exploited its extensive internal network.
- The internal TV station, USPS-TV, sent anthrax-related programming to field offices.
- The USPS.gov Web site became the most efficient way of posting real-time updates, and its traffic went from 3,000 hits a day to 300,000 hits a day.
- USPS Link sent electronic communications directly to 600,000 employees.
- Newsbreaks were faxed to 38,000 facilities. Talking points were sent to all key supervisors with instructions to speak to every single employee.