Washington State Warns Mail-In Ballot Voters Not To Lick Envelopes

While Federal officials are investigating a Seattle-area nursing home for a Covid-19 outbreak, local officials have started building several “quarantine villages” in the Seattle–Tacoma metropolitan area. 

Seattle appears to be the epicenter of the virus outbreak in the US, with 39 confirmed cases and ten deaths. Many of the deaths have been situated at a nursing home in Kirkland, a suburb east of Seattle.

Virus fears prompted Washington’s Secretary of State and Department of Health on Tuesday to inform the public that everyone who votes during the presidential primary by mail-in ballot to use “alternative methods” in sealing the envelope that holds the ballot instead of using their tongue. 

The tweet said: “As recommended by @WADeptHealth, please use alternative methods to seal your ballot return envelopes, such as a wet sponge or cloth.”

As recommended by @WADeptHealth, please use alternative methods to seal your ballot return envelopes, such as a wet sponge or cloth.

Washington’s Presidential Primary is March 10. Use a ballot drop box to return your ballot by 8 p.m. Election Day. #waelex pic.twitter.com/UOk8Ld4Z3m

— WA Secretary of State (@secstatewa) March 3, 2020

A catchy slogan was attached to the tweet that reads: “Whether healthy or sick, please don’t lick!

And here is how Twitter responded: 

Too late

— Gregg Weber (@TangentSpeak) March 3, 2020

Now you tell me after I dropped it off! Too late.

— Sharon (@Sharon05695803) March 4, 2020

I always just use scotch tape. I never lick envelopes — who knows what’s on there?

— JoJo Zawawi (@jojozawawi) March 3, 2020

Ummm I voted already and licked

— HollieJoy STILL WANTS A WOMAN PRES (@HollieJoyJoy) March 4, 2020

sorry, I licked it ,and voted Trump too

— Michael Cole (@Michael73220252) March 4, 2020