PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM CORONAVIRUS IN PUBLIC RESTROOMSAs coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads through the US, many people are looking for ways to protect themselves and their families from catching the virus. The most important thing you can do, is be diligent with hand washing, using hand-sanitizer, and avoid touching your face with your hands.
Corona virus can be spread from person to person contact, surface to person contact and through feces. In an article from Business Insider – Growing Evidence Suggests the Coronavirus can be Spread Through Poop, samples taken from patients stool...toilet bowls and sinks came back positive for the virus. the China National Health Commission also confirms the virus can be spread through contaminated feces (the South China Morning Post). In another article published by MarketWatch, Gregory Poland, the director of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, stated that, "he would avoid public restrooms in outbreak areas. If you have no choice but to use one, decrease your risk by not touching knobs or handles absent a protective paper towel, he said. Use a paper towel rather than an air dryer after washing your hands, he added." Accordingly, one way to help protect yourself would be to use GottaTinkle! Female Urination Device instead of public restrooms whenever possible. You can relieve yourself in any room, closet, office, even your car and avoid public restrooms altogether. Keep a small bottle of hand-sanitizer and a packet of tissue handy and you are good to go! A great idea especially for young children who are notorious for touching everything around them. |
Most people dread when they, or worse, their children need to use a public restroom. Most bathrooms are dirty, the toilets are often wet with urine and used pieces of toilet paper strewn all over. When forced to use these facilities, many people are overcome with anxiety and will do almost anything not to touch "anything".
There is no doubt that various germs such as "streptococcus, staphylococcus, E. coli and shigella bacteria, hepatitis A virus, the common cold virus, and even various sexually transmitted organisms" (WebMD, 2002), may be found in public restrooms, especially unsanitary ones. Germs in feces can be propelled into the air when the toilet is flushed. For that reason, Philip Tierno, MD, director of clinical microbiology and diagnostic immunology at New York University Medical Center and Mt. Sinai Medical Center, advises leaving the stall immediately after flushing to keep the microscopic, airborne mist from choosing you as a landing site. "Other hot zones in public bathrooms include sinks, faucet handles, and towel dispensers. Studies at the University of Arizona in Tucson found that sinks are the greatest reservoir of germ colonies in restrooms, thanks in part to accumulations of water that become breeding grounds for tiny organisms." (WebMD, 2002), Even though the chances of actually catching "something" from a dirty toilet or sink are small, people with weakened immune systems or have have open cuts or wounds, are at higher risk to contract an infection. Especially, if the bathrooms are frequently used and infrequently or poorly cleaned. For people who are at risk, or those who just can't stand using filthy bathrooms, GottaTinkle! is a must-have device. Anxious parents with little girls will love how easy GottaTinkle! is to use and appreciate that their child doesn't have to go anywhere near disgusting toilets. |