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American Morning

Postal Worker's Chilling Call to 911

Aired November 08, 2001 - 11:08   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Also, a Washington postal worker who died of anthrax suspected he had the disease, but apparently could not get the Postal Service to listen. Eileen O'Connor, now, from Washington. The chilling words released from yesterday. Obtained, rather through CNN. Eileen, good morning.

EILEEN O'CONNOR, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill. Well, we were able to obtain this tape through the Freedom of Information Act from the Prince Georges County executive office.

And what it indicates is that Thomas L. Morris, Jr. actually told authorities that -- and his doctor -- that he believed he may have been exposed to anthrax. He said that there was a powdery substance on a shift that he had worked on the 13th of October. Why is that significant? Well, the letter to Senator Daschle was opened on the 15th of October. Although Senate staffers say that they actually received that letter on the 12th, the day before Mr. Morris said he saw a letter with powdery substance.

Still, postal authorities say they did test the letter that Mr. Morris talked about, and they did find it was negative for anthrax. But, despite all of this, there are some questions. Capitol Hill workers were, in fact, being treated already with antibiotics, offered that treatment. Mr. Morris believed he might have been exposed, yet he was still not offered that treatment. And his concerns are apparent on this tape. Let's listen.

(AUDIO TAPE)

Now, Mr. Morris was sent an ambulance, but he died about 15 hours later at the hospital of anthrax. His colleague, Joseph Curseen, died the next day. Postal authorities say that they were not giving out antibiotics they believe that the anthrax that was in the letter to Senator Daschle had not leaked out of the envelope, and they said that was according to the CDC, that people could not have gotten anthrax through the envelopes.

And it was only when local hospitals here did some medical detection work based on a public health advisory that they should look at symptoms as exposed to diagnoses, they were able to figure that it was postal workers who, in fact, were becoming infected with the disease. Bill.

HEMMER: Eileen, we heard that for the first time yesterday afternoon. You where with us as well. Tough, tough tape to listen to. Eileen O'Connor in Washington. Thank you.

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