Postman Won’t Deliver to Couple With AIDS

Even after health officials tried to reassure him, a postman decided it was too risky to deliver mail to a couple with AIDS.

Tim Snodgrass was suspended indefinitely with pay Friday after a class failed to change his mind, Postmaster Richard Esslinger said. Medical experts and officials of the letter carriers union tried to persuade him that he was not at risk.

Snodgrass, a 10-year mail carrier, refused to deliver to Fred and Pat Grounds after they moved into a home for people with AIDS.

Snodgrass said he was afraid of cutting himself on the metal mail slot and becoming infected from envelopes or stamps.