How can I go out if no loos are open?

[Cakes4Teatime]

During lockdown I’ve been working from home and walking locally. Also a once a week supermarket trip by car.

Now you are allowed to meet one person from outside your household, as long as it’s outdoors in a park, I am desperate to meet my brother.

We live over 3 hours apart and would be happy to drive to meet half way BUT I couldn’t last the whole round trip plus time for a socially distanced walk without going to the loo! So despite it being permitted and being desperate to meet how can this work?!

Perhaps we should start a list of where loos are open ?
I will start:-
Godalming don't know of any but will check further
Guildford public toilets in North Street are open

What about this Op www.argos.co.uk/product/9396928?istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=c290d9a9-b5d6-423c-841d-2a559621874c&istItemId=ixilqwmwa&istBid=t&gclsrc=aw.ds&&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157|acid:278-707-7346|cid:9430607434|agid:99688596710|tid:pla-794864147938|crid:419655924124|nw:g|rnd:12732831935388257284|dvc:m|adp:|mt:|loc:9045081&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=9430607434&utm_term=&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=99688596710&utm_custom2=278-707-7346&gclid=CjwKCAjwh472BRAGEiwAvHVfGh0UAhotJ55S4hz9AQHWFLK7Um2a0twdI9e_W7TtNVfKIvgLyqygZRoCwQ0QAvD_BwE

I actually sent a question in to the Daily Coronavirus Briefing because of this.

How can it be legal to shut all public toilets?

So many people need access to public facilities for various reasons. I've had two children, and a weak bladder, (not actually related, just double the problems) not serious enough for intervention, but serious enough to impact on quality of life. So as a result, not only can I not really go out for longer than an hour, I'm also somewhat concerned about returning to work - I work in a field based role and rely on public facilities being open.

Wrt tena. I have a bladder that sometimes likes to just completely empty. Tena helps in an emergency, but unless you want to feel like the grossest thing on the planet, you need to get to a loo to change.

@Tamtam86 I drink loads of tea and water so obviously have a bladder of steel. I can easily go 6 or even more hours without needing a loo

This is why people aren't supposed to be going out.

I have the same issue with needing the loo frequently. We’re having to keep doing the same boring walk in our local area because I can’t do much more than an hour without a wee. There’s lots of lovely places we could drive to but it’s just impossible! Peeing behind a tree/bush is all very well if there is one where you can get some privacy. The wooded area in our local park is full of kids playing.

This is why people aren't supposed to be going out.

Why would that be? In case they need a tree wee?

This is why people aren't supposed to be going out

What is?

a tree wee
is that a wooden shee wee

How can it be legal to shut all public toilets?
it's like the sadists way of making people stay in isnt it:(

Thank you @Tootingwife, that’s good to know.

This is why people aren't supposed to be going out.

To prevent the streets from running with piss? Wouldn't it make more sense to just unlock the bogs.

This is disproportionately affecting women, isn't it?

Oh come on. It's a global pandemic, not a global conspiracy to keep women at home.

Toilets are closed because they will be a factor in lessening social distancing. Presumably they would need to be cleaned continuously to prevent cross infection.

So many people keep stamping their feet because they can't cope with limits on freedoms. You can't have it all ways - life and the NHS protected plus all allowed to go about our lives as we did before Covid.

I think the Victorians had it right. Women's underwear didn't cover the crotch. One just stood in the gutter pretending to admire the scenery.

I'm a member of a walking group and everybody wees behind hedges.

not a global conspiracy to keep women at home
I know.
But still, proper sanitary provision is the mark of a civilized society and that's what we want to be
we need a civilized way to take care of things!

Right, but these are extraordinary times and nothing is as normal right now because of a pandemic.

Being able to access healthcare is a mark of a civilised society too but right now that is severely restricted too.

I bought a Carplife Bivvy loo (check Amazon) for my small camper van. However, it's a game changer when out walking as it fits inside a rucksack and uses the powder that turns hard when you pee on it so just bag it up and take it home. I'm planning to use it when I drive up to see my mum. We will sit in our van with our own coffee and loo and she will sit in her garden. I'd never last without needing a loo!

Several people are coming on here to chide us about being concerned about women’s issues. It’s almost like this isn’t MUMsnet.

Travel John. I use them at festivals when you can't bear the portaloos at 3am. Hold about 750ml. Full of nappy crystals which turn to gel when wet. There's also a closure like a freezer bag, just in case. You may want a long floaty skirt to provide a bit of cover though, and control your flow - splashback is very unpleasant.

We went to a different town for a walk at the weekend & I was happy to discover the public toilets were open but I know in the town we live in they are closed.

Why is someone standing on this loo? Do you think he's particularly well endowed and couldn't fit it all in?

Several people are coming on here to chide us about being concerned about women’s issues. It’s almost like this isn’t MUMsnet.

Who's being chided?

I wasn't having a go at anyone about raising a women's issue (which it isn't anyway. Both sexes can need toilets, not just women). I just think it's ridiculous that in the midst of a lockdown posters on this thread, and others, are complaining.because life hasn't just got back to normal.

Yes, public toilets are necessary. I speak as someone with inflammatory bowel disease. Believe me, I know how bad public toilet.provision is and I don't have the luxury of being able to but a sheewee or a gel pack or nip behind a tree. But then nor do I expect toilets to be open so I can go on a trip right now either.