My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Covid

To think not opening public toilets is a mistake?

188 replies

KitKat1985 · 22/05/2020 19:28

So several open spaces near us have started to re-open (think some National Trust sites and beauty posts). Obviously cafes and shops on site remain closed, which makes sense. But I do disagree with not opening the toilets on site. I get the point is to try and discourage people from staying too long but it also means:

  1. There's nowhere for people to wash their hands, which surely should be a priority.
  2. It's really discriminatory for people who really need to be able to access a toilet at short notice and can't necessarily 'hold it' for long, such as people with certain medical issues or people with very young children.
  3. I've heard that some people who haven't been able to 'hold it' are going for 'a quick wee in the bushes' in some of these places which is pretty poor from a hygiene point of view, at a time when surely hygiene is most important?
OP posts:
Report
LaurieFairyCake · 22/05/2020 19:29

I think opening up anywhere where it's not safe for cleaners to clean them is the mistake

And I judge the government for creating this shit show

Report
MrsFogi · 22/05/2020 19:31

Yes it's crazy - my 75 year old mother told me she got caught short this week and went for a wee in a bush in the park!! Not great for her but if even a small proportion of park visitors are doing this the parks are going to be filthy!!

Report
SavoyCabbage · 22/05/2020 19:33

Who is going to clean these toilets?

People could carry water and soap or leave them in their car boots and wash their hands.

Report
AnotherEmma · 22/05/2020 19:34

YANBU

Given that hand-washing is one of the most effective things we can do to fight coronavirus, keeping public toilets is counterproductive.

The fact is that spending time outdoors is good for physical and mental health, with minimal risk provided social distancing is in place, and the government has allowed it for good reason. As a result, public toilets should be open where possible (I realise this relies on cleaning staff being available and willing to keep them clean and well stocked, with appropriate protection in place).

Report
AnotherEmma · 22/05/2020 19:34

keeping public toilets closed is counterproductive

Report
KitKat1985 · 22/05/2020 19:36

I'm sure it would be possible for cleaners to operate still. Even if public loos were open on the basis of "these toilets will be shut between x and x times to allow for cleaning" so a cleaner can clean the toilets without being surrounded by people who want to use them, and wear appropriate PPE when doing so, it's not impossible.

OP posts:
Report
Sirzy · 22/05/2020 19:36

The problem is the government is giving such stupid messages.

These places don’t want to encourage people to travel to them really. The idea of people being able to travel everywhere and anywhere at the moment is madness and cleaners shouldn’t be put at risk for people’s day out at the moment

Report
summerrose11 · 22/05/2020 19:37

Well if these people can't hold their wee for long maybe they shouldn't be going to far from home. Only leave your home if you must Is still the guidance, you don't have to go to these beauty spots. I think it's pretty disgusting that some people are actually shitting in places like beaches. Have some dignity.

Report
Toilenstripes · 22/05/2020 19:38

I think it goes along with the government discouraging people to stay at home and not travel long distances. If you’re driving an hour away to visit a beauty spot then you’re not following the guidance. At least that’s the way I see it.

Report
Fivefourthree · 22/05/2020 19:39

I agree, OP. And why can't cleaners clean. If places are open, they need toilets.

Report
drayco · 22/05/2020 19:39

It's a disaster.

I live in an AONB and the car parks have reopened now but not the loos. People are pissing everywhere! 😡

Report
Nonnymum · 22/05/2020 19:40

Perhaps not opening them will persuade people not to travel far.
Most public toilets don't have cleaners on site. They will just be breeding grounds for the virus. Multiple people will be touching the surfaces and often the sinks don't have soap, paper towels or only cold water.

Report
AnotherEmma · 22/05/2020 19:42

"I think it goes along with the government discouraging people to stay at home and not travel long distances. If you’re driving an hour away to visit a beauty spot then you’re not following the guidance. At least that’s the way I see it."

Are you in England or elsewhere?

In England the latest guidance is that we are allowed to travel for outdoor exercise.

Hence the problem - some councils and organisations disagree so they're keeping car parks and toilets closed, even though the latest guidance says people can go.

Report
PicsInRed · 22/05/2020 19:42

Aerosolised faeces are thought to be a factor in spread re: inhalation.

Let that sink in for a minute.

Report
Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow · 22/05/2020 19:42

It’s difficult and I think discriminatory for the disabled. I was thinking exactly this today. I’m fit and able to pee anywhere and often do (get caught short after having three kids).

Bloody nightmare if you have arthritis or are elderly and this will stop people going out.

Report
AnotherEmma · 22/05/2020 19:44

Yes, closing toilets is discriminatory against people with bladder/bowel problems, and closing car parks is discriminatory against people with mobility problems. But who cares, right?! Those people should just stay at home, fuck their mental health and general well being.

Report
PoopySalata · 22/05/2020 19:45

The ones in my local park are open, the cafe is open too, with social distancing rules in place that everyone seems to be following properly. However it is within walking distance from my house and quite'urban', so maybe it's classed a public amenity as opposed to a naice trip out to a national trust property?

Report
PowerStruggle · 22/05/2020 19:46

If people can’t hold it in they shouldn’t be travelling, I think that’s the fairest stance in the circumstances

Report
ChocolateCheesecake20 · 22/05/2020 19:46

Yes I find this difficult with my 2yr old who is trained. She won't use a potty, travel potty just a toilet. And these areas are walking distance and despite going before she leaves home.. She always will want to go. 2nd time wasn't a wee :/

Report
Sirzy · 22/05/2020 19:48

I have a disabled son with bladder and mobility issues. I still think in the current climate keeping things like that shut is needed. It’s not ideal but not much about this situation is

Report
nocoolnamesleft · 22/05/2020 19:49

Open public toilets would be plague factories, with everyone touching all the same surfaces.

Report
CokeEnStock · 22/05/2020 19:53

If you can't travel somewhere without needing the loo, then you should not be travelling there. It's quite simple.

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

LaurieFairyCake · 22/05/2020 19:58

Yeah no one wants to catch Coronavirus from aerolysed FAECES in the air Hmm🤮🤮🤮

It's so obvious that TOILETS AREN'T SAFE to use

Report
pigsDOfly · 22/05/2020 19:58

It's irresponsible of the government to tell people that they can travel miles when there will be no loos open because there'll always be disgusting people who just go wherever they fancy.

People using public loos all over the place would probably cause an upsurge in infections.

Can't see that it's discriminatory against disabled people or people with bladder, bowel or mobility problems. I'd think it's more a case that they're being protected.

I wouldn't use a public lavatory at the moment regardless of how many were open, so I wouldn't travel anywhere far enough away that I'd need to wee while I'm away from home.

Report
Redolent · 22/05/2020 19:59

YABU to mention hand washing. The idea of accessing a public toilet solely in order to wash hands is counterproductive. Take a water bottle and some soap when in open space.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.