Open the public toilets!

[blackpeonies]

Other countries have got their public toilets open.

It is discriminatory and unhygenic and 18th century to not have public toilets open.

I feel particularly sorry for children.

Cleaners are presumably key workers. They could be closed at intervals say for 15 mins to allow cleaners to work, social distancing.

We’ll have clothes shops open but no public toilets?!? for example in the royal parks in london.

Posted too soon.

What I meant to say was that if some toilets are remaining open it's clearly possible so central government needs to get involved and make it mandatory.

We need someone to video the human mess left behind on a beach and the video to go viral on twitter. That would probably sort it.

There has already been a lot of horrified commentary in the media and social media about how all these disgusting irresponsible people are going on DAYS OUT and then toileting all over the place like ANIMALS. They should all stay home indefinitely, of course - especially the disabled ones!

(There have been mumsnet threads about it, I think opinion is shifting but there were plenty of judgy comments a few weeks ago.)

Toilets in our local country park are open, seems there's a lack of consistency. My DB drove 2 1/2 hours to visit us there and we were relying on those toilets to make his visit possible. Finding a convenient tree not possible as it is very busy since reopening!

I think its dreadful that they aren’t open, though I appreciate the cleanliness concerns

Hopefully more will open following the shops

Its all very well the government saying we have to get out and shop and eat and drink but I can’t if there are no bogs

(Probably not going anywhere soon...but deffo can’t with no bogs)

The public toilets near me have been open all the way through, which is great as theres one each end of my bus journey to work so I can wash my hands. The main door is tied open so you don't have to touch it having washed your hands and there are signs saying how many people allowed at a time. Some cubicles are taped off to leave a gap, same with sinks.

Most public toilets are vile anyway and germ ridden. They get cleaned once or twice a day at most and sadly, often don't have adequate hot water, soap and dryers that work.

Might just as well open them and encourage mask wearing and your own hand gel.

And the number of people I've seen not even washing their bloody hands makes my skin crawl. Apparently men's toilets are even worse.

I think parks in London like the royal parks St James, Richmond park, toilets 🚽 are closed.

Has anybody been (by there I mean) ?

Good idea @bramwell for main doors blocked open

Today’s Sunday Times: Councils told to reopen public loos - hurray !!!

This just makes me more angry. It's crucial that people can go shopping so now we have to open the public toilets. But the authorities didn't care one bit about opening toilets to enable people to go out and about to parks, beaches etc - because that's about their well being and not the economy.

Fuck them.

I agree.

There are so many people with bowel and bladder health conditions and men (like DH) with prostate issues that they end up housebound.

The thing is, cleaners work all togged up anyway in many toilets (rubber gloves, uniform etc) so why can't they have masks and other PPE and just clean?

They might also invest in the new style loos in some service stations where you have to open and close the lid to flush it because evidently poo and wee can transmit the virus in asymptomatic people.

I am stuck if there are no public loos.
I can't spend my money on the high street as I have a weak bladder.
I don't want to risk being caught short.
Councils are using C-vid as an excuse to keep services closed and save money.
I don't understand why they have money to pay for wardens to control the queuing but not cleaners to clean the loos.

Bollocks to Richmond Park - pee in the bushes. If enough people would regard this as the natural consequence of a lack of toilets then the councils would reopen them very quickly. If people instead just moan and go out less I'd guess the councils will be pretty happy!

They need to open them up as it discriminates against women, children and the elderly.

Council's are definitely NOT saving money during COVID!

The irony being that, with toilets shut, we can't do that hand washing we're supposed to be doing.

Some public toilets are so grim your hands would probably be dirtier after you'd washed your hands.

@Ladybird89 Unfortunately it's not a human rights issue I asked my Dad (he's a met policeman) and he said its under health and hygiene... something along those lines. No doubt its not been put as legal right because then - heaven forbid - more places might have to provide toilets.

I have bladder issues and IBS so I know where every loo in the country is lol. Going out isn't an option for me without toilets

I do sympathise with all who have issues regarding being out and about and needing the loo.
Public toilets are different and should be available especially the ones that are 'manned' with staff anyway.
But sometimes there's more reasons than you you'd think or believe for them being kept locked. Certainly in my workplace.
We have decided tomorrow when we return to work that our toilets will stay closed.
I am non essential and not food or drink related but have customers.
We get a lot of non customers (so members of the public) who think that we are fair game for coming in, using the toilet to do all manners of things besides urinating or defecating where they should.
We have alcohol gel for them to use. I don't wash my hands when out shopping, I gel until I get home.

Hear hear

Surely it will be a major health hazard if places start to open up but the toilets are still closed?

I agree. A few beauty spots near me have reportedly been packed over the last few weeks and all I can think about is where everyone is pissing! It's so unhygienic and an infection risk in itself. Now that shops and town centres are gradually reopening they really need to think about this.

Against human rights for toilets to be closed? Ha! No one is forcing anyone to go out...