New one: Flush with lid down

[Laura PourMeADrink]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandrasternlicht/2020/04/02/why-you-should-flush-with-the-lid-down-virologist-warns-of-fecal-oral-transmission-of-covid-19/

Topline: While scientists have warned that COVID-19 can be spread by fecal-oral transmission (hence the importance of post-bathroom hand washing) the disease can also be spread through what is known as "aerosolized feces" which means that it's more important than ever to close the lid of the toilet while flushing, according to experts.

[Arkansas Granny]

1. K & R

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Who doesn't? I thought that was common knowledge.

[Ms. Toad]

20. Depends on the toilet, habit, and the availability of a lid.

In places where I know it takes 2-3 flushes, I don't flush with the lid down - because I need to check and see if it requires a second or third flush. (Most of those don't have lids anyway.)

It has also taken years to develop the habit of putting the lid down - to prevent our cat from going fishing (none of our previous cats did that). But I don't always remember to put the lid down before flushing - that's a next step.

But common knowledge - yes, it should be.

[BadgerKid]

3. Good luck finding public toilets with lids. n/t

[Laura PourMeADrink]

8. True...and that is where it really matters huh.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

16. Just skip the courtesy flush. Wait till your done then gun 'n' run.

[at140]

4. Been doing that for 50 years.

How many more common sense tips will be broadcast by the high priced authorities?

[Sherman A1]

12. Same here

It simply makes sense.

[HarlanPepper]

6. Farting can spread it too, at least theoretically.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

14. In that case, six feet of separation won't help. ne

[texasfiddler]

7. This is why I believe that if trump gets the virus

So will pence

[Alacritous Crier]

13. +100

[Ex Lurker]

9. If it's so contagious that it can be spread by breathing and flushing toilets

Then all these draconian measures are useless and we should just let it burn through and get it over with.

[at140]

15. You may be right.

United States current Corona-virus Cases: 257,379
Deaths: 6,558

Assuming 100,000 succumb to virus, it is still only 0.03% of US population.

[GeorgeGist]

18. Guess they don't breathe or flush toilets ...

in South Korea, China, Canada etc.

[LisaL]

26. Our toilets in public places usually don't have lids.

Whose brilliant idea was that, I don't know. A lot of our bathrooms in public places have blow dryers that can spread germs, because we are so environmentally conscious we are trying to save paper towels. I guess never mind we might kill ourselves while trying to save paper towels.

[milestogo]

40. Toilets in public places often don't even get flushed.

[pnwmom]

46. Not true. We're all better off if we're exposed to as little of the virus as possible,

even if we end up catching the disease.

The greater our "viral load," the greater a chance we'll have a very serious case. That's why young healthcare workers often get so sick -- they're exposed to more of the virus particles than most people.

[Celerity]

10. fecal-oral transmission has been going on with Rump for decades

[DEbluedude]

11. That won't help.

"Aerosolized feces" is the pandemic that has been roaring through this country for the past 25 - 30 years, courtesy of Fox, limpballs, and the entire republican party.

[2naSalit]

21. +1

[kairos12]

32. Well played!

[Initech]

33. It's also what comes out of Trump's mouth!

[Clash City Rocker]

17. Well, then wouldn't you have to wipe the bottom of the lid every time, too?

[Leith]

19. On a related subject

Don't use the blower dryers to dry your hands. Mythbusters did a story about the cleanliness of public restrooms and found that blowing your hands dry blew whatever nasty beasties left on your hands around the entire restroom. The cleanest way to dry your hands? Disposable paper towels.

So much for the claims of sanitation on the blower's label.

[LisaL]

25. Yea, well, in effort to conserve those paper towels,

a lot of public places have transitioned to only having those blow dryers.

[SheltieLover]

27. Yes, but I just let mine air dry, or

use paper towels available outside restroom if in gas station or restaurant, or just wipe then on my jeans.

[LisaL]

34. Wiping hands on your pants is not very hygienic either.

[SheltieLover]

39. I knew that was coming. lol

Still better than nasty hand dryers! Works for me. 👍 Air drying is best and what I used to do when out & about. I've been for weeks.

[LakeArenal]

22. Had to drive to our big town.

In the woman’s public bathroom they have removed the seats. No one sitting on anything. I laughed.

PS...shhhh don’t tell... it’s my birthday today. He bought me a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. I’m still older than that!!!

[Ohiogal]

30. Happy Birthday, Lake!

I guess no celebrating out in a restaurant. Hope you have something else fun planned. Like a scenic drive in your Pathfinder!

Just don’t stop anywhere to use the facilities... 😁🎂😁🎂

[LakeArenal]

42. My handsome Brit singer neighbor just brought his acoustic to the fence

And sang happy birthday.
We are social distancing from the pool.
Sun is out. 80 degrees.
BBQ ribs slow cooking.
Bought a bd cake at the grocery store yesterday.
About to make a screwdriver and take it and a beer down to Mr Lake.
Pura Vida as they say.

Thanks for the good vibes. ❣️

[Ohiogal]

43. Oh wow

Heaven on Earth!!

[MustLoveBeagles]

45. Happy Birthday

[Laura PourMeADrink]

44. What??? Happy birthday bright 🌟

[LakeArenal]

47. It was completely fantastic.

What a self-quarantine.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

48. Is that what you kids are calling it?

[Yeehah]

23. Aerosolized feces

I don't want to live on this planet anymore.

[Blue Owl]

28. Is that tRump's brand of hairspray?

n/t

[LisaL]

24. How exactly is that new? I knew that for years.

The problem is, in a lot of public bathrooms, toilets don't have lids.

[TrunKated]

29. I do that at home...

Because I've had too many phones and toothbrushes and other things fall into my toilet. So I put the lid down any time no one is sitting on it.

My Gf thinks I do it to piss her off though. LOL

[Totally Tunsie]

36. Sometimes you just can't win. Other GFs might complain about

the seat being left up!

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

31. The lid closes every time flushes happen...

In my home anyway...all my life...fecal and urine blowback is disgusting to even think about.
When out and about and there is no sanitary lid covering with always present paper towel over nose and mouth.

[Hortensis]

35. Always do. Yuck.

[Totally Tunsie]

37. Doesn't everyone?

Yikes.

[LuckyCharms]

38. That assumes that everyone flushes.

[sl8]

41. Toilet Plume (Wikipedia entry)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilet_plume

Toilet plume

A toilet plume is the dispersal of microscopic particles as a result of flushing a toilet. Normal use of a toilet by healthy people is considered unlikely to be a major health risk. There is indirect evidence that specific pathogens such as norovirus or SARS coronavirus could potentially be spread by toilet aerosols, but as of 2015, no direct experimental studies had clearly demonstrated or refuted actual disease transmission from toilet aerosols. It has been hypothesized that dispersal of pathogens may be reduced by closing the toilet lid before flushing, and by using toilets with lower flush energy.

Possible effects on disease transmission

File:Healthcare worker protective research- Is flushing the toilet hazardous-.webmPlay media
A video discussing research on the health hazards of aerosol toilet plumes
There is indirect evidence that toilet aerosol can be a vector for diseases that involve acute gastroenteritis with the shedding of large numbers of pathogens through feces and vomit, with normal use of a toilet unlikely to be a major health risk.[1] For example, some epidemiological studies indicate transmission of norovirus in passenger airplanes[2] and ships,[3] and SARS coronavirus through a contaminated building sewage system,[4] via contaminated toilets rather than other routes.[5] The feces and vomit of infected people can contain high concentrations of pathogens, many of which are known to survive on surfaces for weeks or months, and toilets may continue to produce contaminated toilet plumes over multiple successive flushes. Some other pathogens speculatively identified as being of potential concern for these reasons include gram-positive MRSA, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the pandemic H1N1/09 virus commonly known as "swine flu".[5]

There is no direct experimental evidence on disease transmission by toilet aerosols. Whether or not aerosols can contain norovirus, SARS coronavirus, or other pathogens has not been directly measured as of 2015.[5][6] The combination of cleaning and disinfecting surfaces is usually effective at removing contamination, although some pathogens such as norovirus[7] have an apparent resistance to these techniques.[5]

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