The current strain of Anthrax being sent around the states right now is genetically altered in a lab to make the substance more air-borne. That means, someone somewhere engineered this shit to kill as many as possible. Luckily, the original product was such a low grade that it isn't really killing that many people.
Most higher ranking government offices are now getting smallpox vaccines because of the possible threat that whoever is doing the Anthrax shit will also try something a bit more powerful. But of course, the common public is left to their own wiles while the government is protected. Figures, huh?
But as for the main question of the thread, I think that this is all too real, as I, like your friend work with the mail. Only I'm in an actual government building. I don't worry about it too much, but the thought is always there, you know, laying in the back of you mind. What if it comes through here? Will I die?
Mildly scary, I'd say...