Toilets closed again

[JaceLancs]

Back to where we were months ago!
First time I’ve been out and about (work related) since recent lockdown
Left home at 8.30 for work meeting - parked in town centre shopping centre car park around 11 tried to find a toilet - M n S have closed off upper floors inc toilets, cafe nero takeaway only - toilets closed - shopping centre toilets closed
I have IBS and bladder problems and a radar key - no use today
Had to drive 3 miles to nearest Sainsbury’s to use their facilities (bought a dress as wouldn’t use toilets if not a customer!)
Set off to next work appointment - few miles away by 3pm needed toilet again and a drink - tried costa - takeaway coffee but toilets locked - Tesco next (toilets locked) - what do I do?
I had to cross my legs and drive home before setting out again - took me 30 miles out of my way
Eventually got home at 6.30 with stomach cramps and very stressed! I can’t do my job anymore if I can’t find toilet facilities
Any suggestions?
Why does Covid mean toilets are closed?
I never used to have this problem - I’m not even expecting it for free - happy to shop or buy food or a drink

I just looked on eBay and you can get something called "bog in a bag" that you can wee in. They also have bucket toilets that you can sit on with the absorbent bag inside. I think I could manage to use one in the car discretely.

Disgraceful if public toilets are closed again. They don't seem to be around here, thankfully. They did at the start of the first lockdown but opened again fairly quickly.

Why do some shopping centres, shops and councils seem to think that Covid means people have stopped needing the toilet?

There's no logic to it and it is just an excuse not to provide necessary services. I'm pretty sure too that Boris himself even stated that they should remain open.

I don't have a bloody car...... what about us pedestrians, eh?

That’s shocking, OP. Public toilets are essential in my view, and women are disproportionately affected when they aren’t available. Not to mention people with medical conditions meaning they need to be in reach of toilet facilities, we can’t all just go in a bush.

There does need to be some kind of instruction from the government to keep all public toilets open. It’s a basic human right and yes people with medical conditions will be really badly affected by this.

We’re not like men who can just stand behind a tree and go.

@JaceLancs

Why would they have to be cleaned after each use? People should use hand gel then enter - use toilet wash hands and leave! A she wee is no use to me I have IBS as well as bladder problems

Because virus particles are aerosoled around the cubicle when you flush.

You are supposed to leave a few minutes between occupants or clean between occupants.

I had a tiny baby during the first lockdown and nowhere had blooming changing facilities. Never mind having just given birth and not being able to hold a wee through a sneeze.

They obviously thought I should have stayed home, which I happily would had they had adequate delivery/click and collect slots available.

I think whilst ever a business is open so should their bathrooms be.

@WhoWants2Know

I just looked on eBay and you can get something called "bog in a bag" that you can wee in. They also have bucket toilets that you can sit on with the absorbent bag inside. I think I could manage to use one in the car discretely.

I would genuinely love to know how this is possible. Or using a shee-wee. I would be scared of a tall lorry coming and parking alongside me in a car park or driving past. Not to mention car seats that tilt backwards slightly and other family members in the car, dog-walkers emerging from the bushes, surveillance cameras everywhere, it's not a remotely civilised thing to have to do... and frankly as a woman I would feel very vulnerable having to lower my kegs in public! ( And that's with a car as cover.)

Anyone can buy a radar key though, it isn't like you need a note from the doctor to get one.

Hi
I have ibs and have used toilets at train stations before, even if they are platform side. I was having a major attack one day and my partner popped into the station and spoke to the guard on the barrier, he let me through no problem and told me if I ever needed to use facilities just to ask and station staff should let me through. Previously I had thought they would say no, but since this have asked and never been refused.

The toilet finder app is good and did have a COVID update but its reliant on members of the public stating whether the toilet has been closed or not. To date, I have found it very accurate with only one toilet showing as open but was in fact closed.