Never Touch This One Thing in a Public Restroom

[mfcorey1]

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, you probably had a pretty clear sense that most public restrooms aren't exactly shining examples of cleanliness and good hygiene. But now that the coronavirus has completely changed how we go about our daily lives, using any bathroom that isn't your own might be even less appealing than ever before. That said, at some point you'll inevitably have to pay a visit to a public restroom. And when you do, make sure to avoid using—or even getting near—the hand dryers you see in most restrooms. Why? According to more than one study, high-powered air dryers have been shown to disperse viruses and other bacteria up to 9 feet.

In a 2015 study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology, researchers had participants wash their hands while wearing gloves that were covered in a harmless virus called a bacteriophage. They were then asked to dry their hands using one of three methods: paper towels, a warm air dryer, and a high-powered air dryer. The results showed that the high-powered air dryer spread a significantly higher quantity of the virus than either of the other two hand-drying methods—up to 3 meters (over 9 feet).

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/never-touch-this-one-thing-in-a-public-restroom/ar-BB15SluB?li=BBnbfcL&ocid=mailsignout

[2naSalit]

1. I'll use my shirt or

pants legs before I'll use one of those damned things. I keep a roll of paper towels in my car and usually a couple fold up in a pocket in case I should need to use a public bathroom, I'll take some in with me.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

2. Paper towels...never leave home without them...

Pick-a-size are the best imho.

[2naSalit]

4. Learned that

a long time ago during my career on the road. They work for everything, especially instead of flimsy kleenex things. They're great for camping too.

[lagomorph777]

7. Yeah those things are horrible - I've never used them.

[DownriverDem]

15. Per a study

the least germy stall is the first one. Why? Because most folks walk right by it to another one.

[appalachiablue]

16. +1

The public restroom germ factory there for your convenience!

[TreasonousBastard]

3. So, it's not my problem if I dry my corona-free hands, but it's my problem if the guy...

before me with it does.

[Blues Heron]

5. I was in a public bathroom for the first time since the lockdown recently

the nasty Dyson "two handed slot from hell" dryer was taped over! Yesssss! There was a stack of paper towels on it to use instead. Never liked those things or the xleratr ones either.

[niyad]

6. One more reason to hate those things. They are so loud that they hurt my ears, even ten feet away. M

[lagomorph777]

8. Like a freaking jet engine. OSHA should look into it.

...when Biden takes over.

[niyad]

9. Exactly.

[neohippie]

10. They advertise falsely

The Dyson two hand dryer advertises right on it, that it is the most hygenic hand dryer, that is clearly a false claim, how do they get away with this?

[Hulk]

11. I thought you usually wash your hands with soap and water before drying them?

I get the point....but if we wash with soap and water, the virus germs and other germs get washed down the drain. Using a hand dryer blows water from the hands.

I get it...if you have your hands covered in germs, the germs get thrown around the restroom. So, if somebody with COVID 19 germs on their hands washes without soap, and then blows their germs all over the restroom...guess we’re just fucked.

[FailureToCommunicate]

12. I believe it is the AIRBORNE virus that gets blow around beyond the magical "6 feet" by the

hand dryers that they are talking about.

The same reason hair salons cannot use hair dryers (yet).

[FailureToCommunicate]

13. Article should say "Never BREATHE in a public restroom" since it talks about dispersal of

the pathogen (in the air, not off hands) by the air movement of the dryers.

Of course, the germs, or "fomites" (latin for tinder, as in start a fire) could be on ANY surface touched by other infected people.

[certainot]

14. yep. i was thinking more of the plume of vapor from flushing toilets, touching

anything, and the lack of ventilation drawing air, but from where?

stay out of public bathrooms, or at least hold your breath for a quick trip

[FailureToCommunicate]

17. Yup. On a recent outing I found a deserted parking lot and went behind a dumpster, just as a

commuter train slowed down behind me for the nearby station.

My thought bubble said "When ya gotta go, ya gotta go"

And then "Feast yur eyes"

(My wife then quipped when I got back in the car "Don't worry, I doubt any of them had high power binoculars&quot

Harsh.

[certainot]

18. not always a spot like that so i'm going to have to start keeping a screw top jug in the car