Looks like the virus can spread through faecal-oral transmission

[Redolent]

New peer reviewed paper:

wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/8/20-0681_article?deliveryName=USCDC_333-DM28664

Confirmation of infectious virus in feces affirms the potential for fecal–oral or fecal–respiratory transmission and warrants further study.

—————-

• Public toilets are potential a risk for transmission
• Close the lid when you flush (if you must use them...)

Is there any workplace guidance about this?

Lots of public loos don't have lids.

I read the heading and thought "who the hell is eating poo?!"
Seriously though I'm not sure I believe all this about spores of poo coming out the toilet on flushing. And I hate it when going to a public loo and the seat is down, because that means I've then got to touch it to open it, and its touched the loo seat.

Public loos generally aren't open. You should always have good hygiene when using the toilet anway. You are more likely to catch it from a handle or tap when someone has coughed into their hands and used them before you, I'm sure.

That’s an important consideration for schools, especially primary!

maybe that's how it spread from animals to humans if that's what really happened in Wuhan market

A lot of illnesses are spread in faecal matter, hence the importance of regular hand washing.

as I understand it mucous membranes are tissues which the virus is able to use to gain entry to the body, and there are the reports of the virus causing gastric upsets so it seems feasible that it will be present in the gut?
The virus appears to cause issue with multiple organs and tissues, not just the respiratory tract.

Great, so public loos in Britain might remain closed even longer. How about closing workplace loos, too? Sheesh. Maybe we should all change to wild wees & defecation. I'm so excited. Hoorah (not).

None of the loos in the school I work in have seats

I think dont go in too soon after someone else. Which is why school guidance is strange as all going soon after each other.

I’ve been banging on about this from the beginning as I put up signs in my old workplace loos asking people to shut the lid before flushing BUT, DH’s workplace has 500 staff and the toilets have no lids, they have had half a dozen confirmed cases amongst staff but interestingly, none of the cleaning team have even had symptoms/been off sick.

The title made me chuckle... did you see the US issued a statement asking people to please stop rimming as part of the covid-19 messages?

"Lots of public loos don't have lids."

yes, I've noticed that, and they really should. so should the ones in worklplaces, pubs and restaurants.

Even without the virus, the spray of droplets and particles is appalling.

One of life's great mysteries - why do toilet seats have lids?

They didn't when I was growing up, & it irritates me when I have to lift one to sit down.

(visions of carry own spray disinfectant bottle into loo complete with several cloth rubbish bags & plastic gloves etc etc or your own potty)

This is why we wash our hands!

Yes this information has been known for sometime , you should always put the lid down to flush anyway as it can spread noro virus etc

Hence the emphasis on thorough handwashing.

It was saying this when it first came out of Wuhan, I remember reading it.
it was also the reason those idiots were licking toilet seats.

That will be disappointing news to the coprophagiacs.

@sleepymummyzzz seats or lids?

I think it's revolting when people don't put lids down when they flush the loos. It's hardly taxing and prevents a spray of faecal matter,m and any microorganisms being generated which hangs around in the air, before falling on any surfaces in the vicinity. Maybe people will be slightly more hygienic if this link is made public knowledge.

This has been generally understood since January or February hasn't it?

But useful to have a peer reviewed paper in case there are people who weren't paying attention.

@majesticallyawkward

I believe it's OK if it's your regular partner who you live with. Sharing a bed, bathroom, kitchen and bodily fluids you will probably catch most things off each other anyway. Snogging is probably a more widespread risk.