Daily printout: July 2

The Postal Service will implement the next phase in its service standard refinements on July 1, part of the organization’s ongoing efforts to better serve customers nationwide.

Service standards indicate the expected number of days for delivery after a mailpiece is accepted by USPS.

In March, the Postal Service announced service standard refinements to be implemented in two phases: April 1 and July 1.

The changes will support the organization’s operational improvements and are estimated to save the Postal Service at least $36 billion during the next decade through reductions in transportation, mail and package processing, and real estate costs.

On July 1, USPS will expand:

• The applicability of its service standard bands as a result of earlier surface transportation dispatch times from regional processing and distribution centers. This will increase the reach of two-, three- and four-day service standards for First-Class Mail and USPS Ground Advantage.

• The geographic scope of “turnaround” volume, which refers to mail and package volume originating and destinating within a processing facility’s service area. Turnaround volume of single-piece First-Class Mail and USPS Ground Advantage will receive a two- or three-day service standard.

The added geographic coverage area and expansion of bands will add value for USPS customers.

Service standard refinements previously announced on April 1 included:

• Adding one day to the service standard for USPS Ground Advantage, single-piece First-Class Mail and Periodicals originating in a five-digit ZIP Code that is more than 50 miles from the nearest regional processing and distribution center.

• New critical entry times for commercial mail acceptance, with no change to the service standard for presort First-Class Mail.

• Arrival time by 8 p.m. at regional processing and distribution centers for collection mail and packages originating in offices within 50 miles.

• Sundays and holidays no longer counted in service performance measurement when accepted on the day prior to Sunday or a holiday.

A fact sheet and an FAQ document providing more information on the service standard changes are available on the Delivering for America page on usps.com. Customers can also review the Service Commitments page to find the expected delivery day for postal products depending on the sender and recipient’s ZIP Codes.

Additionally, a new interactive map for customers is available. This tool allows users to check service standards and expected delivery times by entering the mail class and the sender and recipient’s ZIP Codes.

Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints, the parts of the body where two bones meet.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the main symptoms are pain, stiffness, redness, heat and swelling — which typically worsen with age.

The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis causes cartilage — the hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint — to break down. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the immune system attacks the joints, beginning with the joint lining.

People with arthritis can manage their condition by:

• Being physically active;

• Managing their weight;

• Protecting their joints; and

• Talking to their health care provider if they have symptoms.

If you have arthritis, it is important for a doctor to diagnose the specific type for proper treatment to better reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Current treatments allow most people with arthritis to lead active and productive lives.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has more information.