Compulsory lids in public toilets?

[ChinkBlink]

I don't know if this is a Covid legacy, or if it started earlier, but motorway service stations, shopping centres, etc have been installing compulsory toilet lids ... compulsory because you can't flush the toilet unless the lid is down. This is apparently to protect our delicate health from those pesky 'aerosols' that threaten us whenever we flush our pee away with fresh water. Anyone else hate these, or just me?

1. I can't see whether the toilet is clean or not before I commit to a cubicle ... who knows what horrors will lurk beneath the lid when I open it!
2. A lot of people use tissue to flush public loos, not their fingers, then throw the tissue into the loo as it flushes. But now they can't because the lid is closed so there are increased piles of tissue on the floor.
3. If the lid is closed, how do you know if it flushed properly? Unless they somehow managed to invent a toilet that flushes succesfully every time, will you be lifting the lid to check before you leave?

They predate COVID by several years. They are expensive to install and so presumably save a lot of money on cleaning. I've never found one significantly messy.

I don't like the horrible thumping sound that they make when they flush.

We have lids at work. There is no issue. Lift the lid to check. Presumably you wash after you go to the loo.

YANBU
How on earth did we survive as a species before toilet lids? I don't recall ever seeing one on a public loo, especially the metal ones. I like to have a glance to see the toilet is not blocked etc before parking my arse on it.

I had a friend who stumbled across a research paper on ‘aerosolization of fecal matter’. Everyone she shared it with is now a lifelong fan of toilet lids. And of always, always storing your tooth brush in a closed cupboard.
It’s not a Covid thing. It’s basic hygiene.

They are special ones that use a lot less water I think, the lid needs to be closed to form a vacuum or something. They were around before COVID but I've only seen them a few times in service stations and places like that

YABU.

The spray from a lavatory flushing without the lid down is actually quite horrifying. Search online and you’ll see animations of how a household lavatory flushed with the life open spray a build up of urine a fine particles carrying faecal matter over your bathroom or lavatory walls.

People who flush with the lid open are grubby.

The ones I have seen have tinted, but still see-though, lids so you can still have a prissy moment if you deem the flush to not have been up to your standards.

It’s a loo, touching the flush with your fingers will not kill you, just wash your hands when you’re done.

We have them in our local shopping centre and the centre of the lid is clear so you can see. There’s some blurb written on the wall about them being better for the environment plus more hygienic I think.

I was in a service station recently which had a suction ring attached to the compulsory lid so when you lifted it up there was a ring of liquid on the seat. Yuck.
And yes, agree with the gross bit of toilet paper you’re left with at the end, trying to stuff it into the bin without touching.

I stopped at a service station recently that had them, but they were there last time we stopped there pre covid too

I think they’re great for stopping the spread of things like norovirus. And apparently better for the environment as they use a lot less water due to the vacuum.

However despite claims of the antibacterial properties of the handle, I don’t really like touching it (but then I wash my hands do it’s not that bad I suppose). And I agree I normally avoid toilet stalls with closed lids for fear of what might be hiding under it! But I suppose if they were everywhere I’d get used to that

They're grim. I've perfected the art of flicking the lid up with my toe. 😉

Aerosol reduction is a great leap forward in hygiene

YABU.

The water savings are considerable for the operating sites. propelair.com/

YANBU, but I'm happy just to have public toilets

And the 4th issue to me us actually touching the germ laden lid. Ok in your own home but who knows what germs are in public toilets.

The flushing. Fuck me, it can take walking in and out of 4 cubicles at work until a clean toilet is found. Makes me so angry. It's not hard to make sure the toilet is clean before you walk out.

These toilets have been service stations for years, I've never found one that's not clean and I've used them a lot because I travel for work and sometimes need them multiple times a day.

They save water and reduce aerosols but still the Mumsnet hygiene crazies find fault with them.

As long as you wash your hands after flushing, how does it matter if you touch the lid or the flush?

And those wasteful people who are unnecessarily using toilet paper as a barrier and throwing it on the floor should be ashamed of themselves. Just why?

Half the world doesn't even have access to modern flushing toilets and there are people in this country who take them for granted to the degree that they get this precious over using them. Embarrassing.

How about next time you're in there, instead of fretting about such a non issue, you have a good read of the charity poster on the back of the door that's in many service station toilet about the young African girl dealing with having a period with no clean underwear, sanitary protection, or clean, safe, private facilities and appreciate how privileged we are compared to her.

I dont get it - why do people use tissue just to press the flush? Arent you straight away going to exit the cubicle (touching the lock with those fingers you so carefully protected just seconds ago) and wash your hands?

I do get the need to be able to see under the lid though......... ewwww what might be underneath!!
Not the fretting about the spread of fecal matter though - if its such a major problem people who dont fuss about closing the lid to prevent fecal spread......... would be ill frequently which is definately not the case ime.

Having the lid down is much more hygienic.

They've been there ages.

Those are the only loos I put the lid down to flush. I'm not a candidate for How Clean is Your House, but I don't worry too much about germs. I'm one of those who subscribes to the school of thought that believes a few germs are good for your immunity. My health isn't perfect-im having my gallbladder out next week and I've recently had the first of two cataracts out. But I very rarely have infectious diseases. The last time I had a cold for instance was nearly 2 years ago!

I hate the lifting the seat in case of a surprise but you should always put the lid down on any loo before flushing. If you WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER YOU USE THE LOO like an adult then problem solved on the germs front.

This shouldn't be an issue. Lids are better for everyone's health. You won't be hit with icky particles when you flush! If you need to check if it's clean before you sit, simply lift the lid first.

I've always closed the lid before I flush. I can't imagine doing otherwise. THERE IS A REASON FOR THEM.

I hate compulsory lid down.

In s public bog I want to see if it's covered in shit/ blocked with bog roll without having to touch then!

I have no idea why this has become a thing.

@NiceGerbil

I hate compulsory lid down.

In s public bog I want to see if it's covered in shit/ blocked with bog roll without having to touch then!

I have no idea why this has become a thing.

If the loo has been flushed with the lid up then everything you touch and sit on is covered on particles of other people's shit and piss as the flush sprays it everywhere.

It's widely known and hasn't become a thing recently. Enjoy.

If the loo has been flushed with the lid down, the lid and seat are covered in the maximum amount of aerosolised human waste. You touch that before sitting down and wiping. I don't know anyone who lifts the lid, goes and washes their hands, then goes back to the cubicle. So you pretty much have ground zero, stranger microwaste on your hands and on your butt cheeks. Hope you don't touch your face while you're sitting down, lord help you if you have a handbag with you.

@k1233

If the loo has been flushed with the lid down, the lid and seat are covered in the maximum amount of aerosolised human waste. You touch that before sitting down and wiping. I don't know anyone who lifts the lid, goes and washes their hands, then goes back to the cubicle. So you pretty much have ground zero, stranger microwaste on your hands and on your butt cheeks. Hope you don't touch your face while you're sitting down, lord help you if you have a handbag with you.

And yet no one died from touching a toilet seat lid. You wash your hands after. You don't put your butt cheeks in your mouth or touch anything with them.

You shower later. What's the issue