Coronavirus pandemic

[J N Winkler]

It says the bathrooms and sinks will be accessible. I'm not sure if your gym is set up like mine, but there when you walk into the locker room, the sink is to the left, urinals/stalls to the right, and if you continue straight, you're in the actual locker room area. My gym could theoretically close off the locker room by putting a barrier of some kind between it and the bathroom area.

That being said, lack of locker room access would be a dealkiller for me going in. My routine is to stop in on the way home from work, and my work uniform isn't suitable for working out. Going home to change would entail driving across town twice (my work is west of town, the gym is on the west side, and my house is on the east side). I could wear gym clothes under my uniform, I suppose, but that doesn't strike me as being remotely comfortable at work, especially during the summer months.

The pools and locker rooms are now open at our Y.  We have also been advised that the meter starts running again on memberships June 15 (this coming Monday)--we have been on a fee holiday since March.

Uline manages to disgust me more than Amazon–for all Bezos's faults, he at least hasn't used his money to take over an entire town by force like Liz Uihlein did.

Manitowish Waters, you mean?

[Scott5114]

Manitowish Waters, you mean?

That's the one.

[webny99]

I never use urinals in public bathrooms if I can possibly avoid them--as far as I am concerned, they are inventions of the devil.

Why's that? They're typically better than commodes in terms of upkeep and cleanliness ...

I must say I was wondering that myself.

[GaryV]

That's the purpose of the dispensers–to give preordained length of towel in hopes that people will accept that as all the towel they deserve and reduce consumption. This is the same reason behind the faucets that give you a spritz of water and then shut off, and automatic soap dispensers (ask yourself, is pushing a pump to get some soap enough effort to justify having an electric motor do it for you?)

The automatic soap dispensers at my workplace certainly don't save soap.  You get 3 or 4 extra squirts while you're rinsing off your hands, because the sensor is too close to the water stream from the faucet.

[hotdogPi]

Uno Chicago Grill in Haverhill, MA, which has its parking lot cross the state line, is now doing outside seating. I'm pretty sure that the seating is across the border in New Hampshire, as Massachusetts won't allow it. I haven't been there to check, though.

[kphoger]

C-fold towels don't really "need" a dispenser at all. I've seen some higher-end places that just leave a stack of them in a fancy-looking tray.

This is what we have at our house.  As a licensed home daycare, we are required to provide that children not have to share a towel.  My wife therefore buys C-fold towels by the case online and keeps a stack of them in a clear acrylic holder on the over-the-toilet shelving.  No dispenser needed.

[J N Winkler]

I never use urinals in public bathrooms if I can possibly avoid them--as far as I am concerned, they are inventions of the devil.

Why's that? They're typically better than commodes in terms of upkeep and cleanliness ...

I must say I was wondering that myself.

Urinals are difficult for me to use because I wear trousers at my natural waist rather than my hips and tuck in my shirt, meaning I have a lot of fabric to pull out of the way before I can create an unobstructed stream.  For me--not necessarily for other men--having elastic at my waist under tension and routing the business end out through a small pee slit has a hose-kinking effect.  I've also encountered various types of urinals that were badly designed and either overflowed or splashed back onto me.

All things considered, I prefer to do my business in a closed toilet stall where I can evacuate my bladder fully in comfort and adjust my clothing in privacy.

[kphoger]

I prefer to do my business in a closed toilet stall where I can evacuate my bladder fully in comfort and adjust my clothing in privacy.

And you call yourself an American...

[Max Rockatansky]

I prefer to do my business in a closed toilet stall where I can evacuate my bladder fully in comfort and adjust my clothing in privacy.

And you call yourself an American...

Man...maybe we should tell people about the public restrooms in Mexico?  The best part is that you usually have to pay $5-$10 Pesos for the privilege of what most Americans would consider a restroom nightmare. 

[kphoger]

I prefer to do my business in a closed toilet stall where I can evacuate my bladder fully in comfort and adjust my clothing in privacy.

And you call yourself an American...

Man...maybe we should tell people about the public restrooms in Mexico?  The best part is that you usually have to pay $5-$10 Pesos for the privilege of what most Americans would consider a restroom nightmare. 

I regularly see tip jars at restrooms in Mexico, but I've only ever put money in once–and that was because the restroom used to be utterly filthy but was now decently clean.

Also, most public restrooms I've used in Mexico are halfway decent.  This may be because I stick to restaurants, gas stations, and toll booths.  Other than the aforementioned one (at the customs office near Allende, Coah), the only other horrible one I recall was at the bus terminal in Cd Chihuahua back in 2001-02.  Then again, the Chicago bus terminal's bathroom isn't much better.

[Max Rockatansky]

I prefer to do my business in a closed toilet stall where I can evacuate my bladder fully in comfort and adjust my clothing in privacy.

And you call yourself an American...

Man...maybe we should tell people about the public restrooms in Mexico?  The best part is that you usually have to pay $5-$10 Pesos for the privilege of what most Americans would consider a restroom nightmare. 

I regularly see tip jars at restrooms in Mexico, but I've only ever put money in once–and that was because the restroom used to be utterly filthy but was now decently clean.

Also, most public restrooms I've used in Mexico are halfway decent.  This may be because I stick to restaurants, gas stations, and toll booths.  Other than the aforementioned one (at the customs office near Allende, Coah), the only other horrible one I recall was at the bus terminal in Cd Chihuahua back in 2001-02.  Then again, the Chicago bus terminal's bathroom isn't much better.

Don't get me wrong what I typically encounter is nowhere near as bad as the old school pee troths of Tiger Stadium or Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  By the same token I could see someone like my brother (much more fussy than I about hygiene)  being freaked out by things like potentially not having a stall door or troth configurations.  Pretty much every public restroom I used on the last trip had an attendant taking payments; the Grand Mercado in Guadalajara, Chapala, and Zacolaco de Torres come to mind.  The park on Lake Chapala in Jocotepc had the tip jar though. 

[1995hoo]

The worst public restroom I've encountered in Mexico was the one at Rasta's on Cozumel's east side (in that Street View image, it's the place on the left, and its restroom serves Marley's across the street as well). At least there was a door, because the shitter, which generally looked like a standard American toilet, had no toilet seat and there was no running water to flush. Instead, you pretty much had to squat over the bowl using a stick that was tied to the wall to help you balance; there was also a hook on the door for people who desired to remove their shorts to avoid splatter. Once you were done, you wiped and put the TP in a wastebasket, then went outside to a rain bucket to get a pail of water to pour down the toilet.

The most ridiculous public restroom crapper I've ever used was in a building in the parking lot of Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia. There was no door and the only privacy you got while sitting was a shoulder-high cinderblock wall, but even that was of questionable value because they had a chair set up facing the crapper for the next person to sit on while waiting for you to finish.

[jmacswimmer]

Man...maybe we should tell people about the public restrooms in Mexico?  The best part is that you usually have to pay $5-$10 Pesos for the privilege of what most Americans would consider a restroom nightmare. 

When I studied abroad in England, I remember a lot of the major rail stations charged 30 pence (collected by turnstile) for the toilets.  And they were typically, er, not the nicest restrooms out of all the ones I used over there.

[spooky]

Uno Chicago Grill in Haverhill, MA, which has its parking lot cross the state line, is now doing outside seating. I'm pretty sure that the seating is across the border in New Hampshire, as Massachusetts won't allow it. I haven't been there to check, though.

Massachusetts is allowing outdoor seating, requiring 6 foot separation between tables and parties no larger than 6 people.

[kphoger]

At least there was a door, because the shitter, which generally looked like a standard American toilet, had no toilet seat and there was no running water to flush. Instead, you pretty much had to squat over the bowl using a stick that was tied to the wall to help you balance; there was also a hook on the door for people who desired to remove their shorts to avoid splatter. Once you were done, you wiped and put the TP in a wastebasket, then went outside to a rain bucket to get a pail of water to pour down the toilet.

Having no toilet seat is completely normal in Mexico, in both public and private restrooms, but the lack of one has never prevented me from sitting down.  If the rim is dirty, then I either wipe it off or just accept the fact that the backs of my thighs won't be squeaky clean.

I've only been in one situation where I had to use a bucket to flush, and that was when our mission team camped at a family's house in La Constancia, which is way out in the middle of the desert.  There, the (seatless) toilet was flushed by filling and bringing a bucket of water in from a 55-gallon drum outside the house.  Even then, it still sometimes didn't flush properly.

However, on a previous trip, we donated church funds to the school in Ganivete, which is also out in the middle of the desert.  Before we donated the funds, the toilets were not hooked up to plumbing, and the little kids couldn't fill the bucket if the holding tank was below half-full;  now they have flush toilets.

[J N Winkler]

When I studied abroad in England, I remember a lot of the major rail stations charged 30 pence (collected by turnstile) for the toilets.  And they were typically, er, not the nicest restrooms out of all the ones I used over there.

Yes--I don't think I have seen free toilets at any of the London terminus stations, though they do tend to be free further down the line, e.g. at Oxford.  There is also a tendency for pay toilets to have taps marked as non-potable water, so they can't be used to refill water bottles.

Charges to use public bathrooms are the modern descendants of Vespasian's toilet tax (itself the origin of the phrase pecunia non olet, "money doesn't smell").  Oddly enough, while I've seen charges in countries like England and Italy that were formerly part of the Roman Empire, they are uncommon in Spain (also under Roman rule) yet common in Germany (never conquered by the Romans).

Man...maybe we should tell people about the public restrooms in Mexico?  The best part is that you usually have to pay $5-$10 Pesos for the privilege of what most Americans would consider a restroom nightmare.

I've used bathrooms in Mexico.  The ones I have encountered have done all right in terms of privacy; for Americans I think the biggest adjustment is having to throw away toilet paper in bins next to the toilet rather than flushing it.

Having no toilet seat is completely normal in Mexico, in both public and private restrooms, but the lack of one has never prevented me from sitting down.  If the rim is dirty, then I either wipe it off or just accept the fact that the backs of my thighs won't be squeaky clean.

Sitting down directly on the bowl is part of my current strategy for securing a flat anorectal angle.  I have only ever done this at home, however, and have thus had the ability to shower immediately afterward.

[kphoger]

I don't think I have seen free toilets at any of the London terminus stations, though they do tend to be free further down the line, e.g. at Oxford.  There is also a tendency for pay toilets to have taps marked as non-potable water, so they can't be used to refill water bottles.

Charges to use public bathrooms are the modern descendants of Vespasian's toilet tax (itself the origin of the phrase pecunia non olet, "money doesn't smell").  Oddly enough, while I've seen charges in countries like England and Italy that were formerly part of the Roman Empire, they are uncommon in Spain (also under Roman rule) yet common in Germany (never conquered by the Romans).

I remember our family needing to use the restroom while transferring trains in Brussels back in the 1990s.  Our bank had given us out-of-date Belgian francs.  So my mom just held out all the Belgian francs she had, the restroom attendant picked through the pile of coins, and took the few that were current issue.

I've used bathrooms in Mexico.  The ones I have encountered have done all right in terms of privacy; for Americans I think the biggest adjustment is having to throw away toilet paper in bins next to the toilet rather than flushing it.

When I lead teams to Mexico, I describe that as THE most important thing to know.  In fact, I keep a wire coat hanger in the car just in case someone forgets and we need to fish TP out of the toilet.  At the children's home where we often serve, plumbing clogs can necessitate scooping sludge out of a hole near the street by hand.  I've found that telling people that is enough to scare them into remembering.

Sitting down directly on the bowl is part of my current strategy for securing a flat anorectal angle.  I have only ever done this at home, however, and have thus had the ability to shower immediately afterward.

Please tell me you don't shower after every BM.

[hotdogPi]

I don't think I have seen free toilets at any of the London terminus stations, though they do tend to be free further down the line, e.g. at Oxford.  There is also a tendency for pay toilets to have taps marked as non-potable water, so they can't be used to refill water bottles.

Charges to use public bathrooms are the modern descendants of Vespasian's toilet tax (itself the origin of the phrase pecunia non olet, "money doesn't smell").  Oddly enough, while I've seen charges in countries like England and Italy that were formerly part of the Roman Empire, they are uncommon in Spain (also under Roman rule) yet common in Germany (never conquered by the Romans).

I remember our family needing to use the restroom while transferring trains in Brussels back in the 1990s.  Our bank had given us out-of-date Belgian francs.  So my mom just held out all the Belgian francs she had, the restroom attendant picked through the pile of coins, and took the few that were current issue.

Belgium never reformed their currency until they got the euro. Inflation might have made older coins worthless, but 5 francs is 5 francs regardless of when it was made.

[kphoger]

I don't think I have seen free toilets at any of the London terminus stations, though they do tend to be free further down the line, e.g. at Oxford.  There is also a tendency for pay toilets to have taps marked as non-potable water, so they can't be used to refill water bottles.

Charges to use public bathrooms are the modern descendants of Vespasian's toilet tax (itself the origin of the phrase pecunia non olet, "money doesn't smell").  Oddly enough, while I've seen charges in countries like England and Italy that were formerly part of the Roman Empire, they are uncommon in Spain (also under Roman rule) yet common in Germany (never conquered by the Romans).

I remember our family needing to use the restroom while transferring trains in Brussels back in the 1990s.  Our bank had given us out-of-date Belgian francs.  So my mom just held out all the Belgian francs she had, the restroom attendant picked through the pile of coins, and took the few that were current issue.

Belgium never reformed their currency until they got the euro. Inflation might have made older coins worthless, but 5 francs is 5 francs regardless of when it was made.

Wikipedia states all coins except 50 centimes were redesigned in 1994.

[NJRoadfan]

For those wondering about testing, I had it done today (work required it for all employees). Its quick and painless and had the negative result in 15 minutes (much to my surprise, they had the rapid test). They don't shove the swab all the way back your nose, but it does go pretty far in. For those on the fence, don't be afraid to get tested.

[webny99]

The most ridiculous public restroom crapper I've ever used was in a building in the parking lot of Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia. There was no door and the only privacy you got while sitting was a shoulder-high cinderblock wall, but even that was of questionable value because they had a chair set up facing the crapper for the next person to sit on while waiting for you to finish.

Wow. Some old New York State Park bathrooms are almost that bad, with less than half-height stall walls and no doors, but I've never seen a chair facing the opening, LOL. 

Sitting down directly on the bowl is part of my current strategy for securing a flat anorectal angle.  I have only ever done this at home, however, and have thus had the ability to shower immediately afterward.

Please tell me you don't shower after every BM.

Only after sitting directly on the bowl, is how I interpreted it.

[webny99]

(All the bathroom and hygiene talk has generated almost 100 replies, more than enough for its own thread at this point, so it might be a good time to get back to the actual topic!!)

For those wondering about testing, I had it done today (work required it for all employees). Its quick and painless and had the negative result in 15 minutes (much to my surprise, they had the rapid test). They don't shove the swab all the way back your nose, but it does go pretty far in. For those on the fence, don't be afraid to get tested.

Totally agree. Testing is now widely available, easy, and fast in most areas, so why not do it just for peace of mind?
In this area, there are self-testing facilities where you can literally drive up, get a swab wheeled up to your window on a cart, do the swab yourself, put it back on the cart, drive away and have them call you with the results within the hour.

[Max Rockatansky]

While I do agree that bathroom hygiene would make a good individual topic I don't think it necessarily should be divorced from the conversation at hand.  In particular the change of habits in regards to COVID are topical. 

Regarding testing, are there actually any states that require testing for things like travel or returning to work?  There is such a push for testing but there seems to be very little weight to actually being tested aside peace of mind.  For me I see zero incentive given that I feel fine, but there is a public push for people like me to get tested anyways.  Given what is coming out about asymptomatic spread not really being as big of an issue as originally thought it seems like taking a test for the sake of taking one is pointless. 

[kphoger]

Only after sitting directly on the bowl, is how I interpreted it.

Yes, but he said that's his "current strategy".

[wxfree]

The IHME model has been extended to October 1 in the US.  Nationwide, it's showing a swing upward starting in late August.  It isn't a typical second wave, but more like a rebound of a first wave that never really ended, but that's just a composite of multiple regional epidemics.  The variation by state is very high.  In New York, they show the disease pretty much gone by August (100 to 200 daily infections and a few daily deaths).  New Jersey and Connecticut are similar.  The resurgence seems to be mostly places that weren't hit hard the first time.  A lot of southern states, from Georgia to Texas, are shown with higher infection and death rates than they had before.  Louisiana got high pretty hard, so it would be harder to get higher numbers, but Louisiana's curve not only doesn't get higher than before, it looks more like New York, with the virus tapering off, although more slowly.  A quick overview makes it look like the states that were worst off before are expected to get a lot better, and those states that were spared are more likely to see rapid increases.  One that stands out to me is Minnesota, which has a pretty strong wave pattern, having been over a pretty big hump already and seeing another one ahead of them.

My first thought as to why the projections look this way is that places that were hit hard before would be more likely to be more careful, but that isn't what they're assuming.  New York and New Jersey are shown with increasing mobility the whole time, and Louisiana is shown with mobility going back nearly to normal.  Of course, if the counts are as low as projected in those places, then there's really no reason not to.

https://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america