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Original poster

How are people coping without...

36 replies

aliceinsunderland44 · 15/05/2020 15:25

Public toilets?!?!

Sorry is this seems like an odd subject but I'm genuinely confused as to how people can be planning these long drives to places where they can exercise outdoors when nowhere is open for a toilet stop. Maybe I think about it more as I suffer from IBS and almost always need to visit a loo whenever I go anywhere for longer than an hour or so. I've had serious anxiety about having to queue to get into the supermarket because the wait (and anxiety) usually sets me off!

It's not just the general public though. Delivery drivers, lorry drivers, anyone that would usually work outdoors and be able to nip into a service station or McDonald's surely has this problem now?

It's not something we tend to talk about but I really don't know how people are coping with it?

OP posts:
LadyLeucadia · 15/05/2020 15:30

I had to make a long drive at the beginning of this and just drove a bit dehydrated as I knew there was a loo at the end of my journey. If I had to do it again I would take my she wee and a bottle just in case.

sexbearhouse · 15/05/2020 15:32

The drivers all have bottles.

Bus drivers have a special radar key thingy to access disabled loos.

Other people just wee in the bushes Smile

lazylinguist · 15/05/2020 15:33

Pre-coronavirus we (me, dh, 2dc) pretty regularly went for long walks in the mountains (Lake District). Often we'd be out for hours. No toilets until we got back to the car park/village or to the car so we could drive to one. If we needed the loo we'd either have to go in the bushes or hold in until we got back. I don't think any of us have ever needed more than a wee though, and that's usually only dh - the rest of us manage to last until we get back!

Original poster
aliceinsunderland44 · 15/05/2020 15:37

I suppose if you have normal functioning bowels and bladder it's not that much of an issue but for people like me with ibs or the elderly who may struggle to queue for ages to get into a supermarket it just seems pretty rubbish at the minute.

I'm not wanting to travel anywhere just yet anyway but if and when I do I think this would be a major concern for me. I used to worry enough about finding the nearest toilet before coronavirus closed them all so I think I'd be doubly worried now and that anxiety tends to make me need to go too. Nightmare.

OP posts:
Trumpeterwolf · 15/05/2020 15:37

We had a workman in briefly yesterday and he asked to use our loo! I was so shocked but didn’t feel I could say no so said yes and then cleaned it thoroughly afterwards.

lazylinguist · 15/05/2020 15:38

That must be really tricky, OP. Maybe supermarkets need to install a portaloo outside!

SleepingStandingUp · 15/05/2020 15:40

Travel John or she wee if you can find somewhere private ish, oasis bottle for the lads.
It is crap op, and I understand your worries. None of those options are suitable for a poo either and def not loose bowels. But what's the alt?

lazylinguist · 15/05/2020 15:40

Confused Why were you shocked, Trumpeterwolf? Surely workmen need to use the toilet just like anyone else. Why would you need to clean it more thoroughly just because a workman went in it? I don't understand!

Original poster
aliceinsunderland44 · 15/05/2020 15:42

@lazylinguist it really is. As I say it was a big problem for me before this even kicked off. IBS is incredibly common I'm sure there will a lot of people worrying about this at the minute.

OP posts:
YakkityYakYakYak · 15/05/2020 15:43

I’ve had the same concerns OP. I have IBS and now also have bladder issues since giving birth last year. I’d love to drive somewhere for a nice walk but just can’t risk being that far from a loo!

nahnonever · 15/05/2020 15:46

Yes OP I am in same position. Even visiting people I always use their toilet for a poo Grin my IBS is really bad, I have to go all the time when I'm out.

I don't know how I'm going to cope, with not wanting to touch anything being an even bigger issue than my IBS

Original poster
aliceinsunderland44 · 15/05/2020 15:49

The she-wee options are good but as a pp said not suitable for a number 2. We have been walking with the dogs a lot more during lockdown and I still don't feel like I can venture too far from home for this reason.

OP posts:
Trumpeterwolf · 15/05/2020 15:49

I was shocked because I presumed everyone was being extra cautious at the moment and not touching surfaces etc. Normally I’d say yes with no issue.
I cleaned all the door handles & taps and other items he’d touched during his visit. Maybe over cautious but seemed sensible.

Sevencats · 15/05/2020 15:51

I’m okay as there is nothing open and I’m only going to work and back. But if they start opening stuff and the toilets are closed I may have a problem

emmathedilemma · 15/05/2020 16:37

I share your issue! It's definitely limiting how far i can exercise from home, and fills me with a bit of fear in case I need to go while I'm out as it's not unheard of for me to have to dash into somewhere to use the loo.

thewheelsonthebus23 · 15/05/2020 16:41

Going outside behind a wall or bush normally (these are rural walks)

Original poster
aliceinsunderland44 · 15/05/2020 17:03

As things begin reopening toilets will open up with them. Although I suspect people will feel a bit more nervous about hygiene and stuff. It seems like a trivial thing to worry about given what else is happening but it's a very real fear for me and it's definitely stopping me doing things.

OP posts:
whatisforteamum · 15/05/2020 17:38

I was going to ask this!Until recently I had an issue and needed to pee before an hour was up.I can go 2 hours now.How ever this would rule out a day trip.I will ha e to wait until I know they are open.

lazylinguist · 15/05/2020 17:39

Oh sorry - of course that's totally fair enough under the current circumstances, Trumpeterwolf! I was thinking you were one of those odd MNers who take exception to other people using their toilet!

NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite · 15/05/2020 17:41

I've stayed home so haven't done any long journeys.

NothingIsWrong · 15/05/2020 17:41

I had an unexpected call out for a job today and I had to beg at a GP's surgery. Luckily they let me or my only option would have been to drive home.

onemouseplace · 15/05/2020 17:46

I have IBD and this aspect of things is really concerning me - although I do have a radar key, I had assumed disabled loos would be closed off as well?

Yet another thing conspiring to keep me within a tiny radius of my house for however long.

Freetodowhatiwant · 15/05/2020 17:47

We drove into central London for the day today for the first time, didn't get out of the car but it was a birthday treat for one of the kids. We thought about going to one of the big parks for a picnic but both the children have had funny tummies (don't ask me how they got that at the moment, no idea) so we drove around a bit and came home. No loos is a pain, but I also didn't fancy stopping for the loo either.

ragged · 15/05/2020 17:57

I am pretty sure anyone can buy a radar key on Ebay, actually. Good idea.

Dancingalong · 15/05/2020 18:04

I was thinking about this too. I have just bought a shewee if I get desperate whilst on a walk. My husband has just told me that service toilets are still open though as he travels a lot for work and sometimes it’s unavoidable. He said every other sink is tapped off in the ones he’s been too.

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