The coronavirus has left 13 dead in the state of Washington, so in the upcoming vote for the nomination of the Democratic candidate, the state warns the votersconditions not to lick the envelopes with the ballots!!!
What happens when the two biggest local events collide? the elections and the coronavirus? The state of Washington, although it has banned pre-election rallies, is trying to hold elections for the anointing of Democrats and sends instructions to those involved. Do not lick the envelopes!
Washington is one of the states that will choose the preferred candidate for the Democratic presidential anointing. The contest will take place on March 10, and will be by mail, which means that voters do not need to crowd in public places and enter public polling stations.
But postal voting has its own hygiene concerns, both for voters and counting committees, so Washington has taken precautions and says it's prepared for the worst, should the coronavirus take hold even further. otherwise many fatal cases. The state of Washington counts so far 12 victims.
Polling station administrators in all 39 counties have been trained to wash their hands thoroughly and wear gloves when processing ballot papers, in case germs are still present on and inside the envelopes, and especially in their sealing.
To minimize these transmitted droplets, has been requested by voters do not close the envelopes by licking them with saliva but use a damp sponge or cloth. This instruction made the people of Washington laugh, but the power of habit does not cut it easily.
Health officials still don't know how long the coronavirus can remain active on inanimate objects, but Mark Dalman, an assistant professor at the University of Kent who specializes in infectious diseases, suggests it's somewhere between a day and a week.teams. So, theoretically, the virus could "remain absolutely" alive and infectious until the envelope.
The coronavirus has its own "envelope", made of lipids, and only when this outer layer break then the virus will cease to be infectious. A human hand with sanitizer on it can break it down, but because mail envelopes are porous, it would not be effective on this surface. So Dalman agrees with the recommendation not to lick the envelopes !!.