A specimen collection device comprising: a handle, a holder comprising: at least two opposed flanges (1218a, 1218b) extending upwardly from said holder to provide a cavity for releasable capture of said handle therein said cavity having a front edge to stop forward movement of said handle therein, a holder front end extending from said cavity front edge said front end having a collection absorbent support area, and a holder rear end, said handle comprising: a lower handle portion, an upper handle portion connected to said lower handle portion, an absorbent extending from said handle, said absorbent captured between said lower handle portion and said upper handle portion, at least one longitudinal track (1228a, b) in said handle, and a lower stop extending downwardly from said lower handle portion to contact said holder rear end to prevent forward movement of said handle within said holder, a cover slidably connected to said handle for slid able extension of said cover over said absorbent to protect absorbent and for slidable retraction to expose absorbent, said cover spaced from said absorbent for air circulation around said absorbent, characterized by said cover comprising: a track follower (1226 a, b) extending from said cover for insertion into said longitudinal track to provide slidable moveable of said cover within said track, said track follower having a frictional fit in said track to provide frictional resistance to the movement of said slidable cover along said track for retention of said cover in any operator selected position when said handle is removed from said holder, and opposed outside cover edges for frictional contact with said opposed flanges (1218a, 1218b) for frictional resistance to the movement of said cover on handle when said handle is within said holder for the retention of said cover in any operator selected position, such that said handle is releasable from said holder for dipping said collection absorbent into a liquid specimen. a handle, a holder comprising: at least two opposed flanges (1218a, 1218b) extending upwardly from said holder to provide a cavity for releasable capture of said handle therein said cavity having a front edge to stop forward movement of said handle therein, a holder front end extending from said cavity front edge said front end having a collection absorbent support area, and a holder rear end, at least two opposed flanges (1218a, 1218b) extending upwardly from said holder to provide a cavity for releasable capture of said handle therein said cavity having a front edge to stop forward movement of said handle therein, a holder front end extending from said cavity front edge said front end having a collection absorbent support area, and a holder rear end, a lower handle portion, an upper handle portion connected to said lower handle portion, an absorbent extending from said handle, said absorbent captured between said lower handle portion and said upper handle portion, at least one longitudinal track (1228a, b) in said handle, and a lower stop extending downwardly from said lower handle portion to contact said holder rear end to prevent forward movement of said handle within said holder, a cover slidably connected to said handle for slid able extension of said cover over said absorbent to protect absorbent and for slidable retraction to expose absorbent, said cover spaced from said absorbent for air circulation around said absorbent, a track follower (1226 a, b) extending from said cover for insertion into said longitudinal track to provide slidable moveable of said cover within said track, said track follower having a frictional fit in said track to provide frictional resistance to the movement