Our group placed our public health sticker on a toilet liner dispenser in a public restroom located in the food court at the University Mall. We chose this location because it is frequently occupied by guests, all day long, and is full of germs. It is an important place for public health because the toilet is a receptacle for human body waste including fecal matter that contains a lot of bacteria. Using the toilet liner creates a barrier to prevent the occupant from coming in contact with foreign bacteria that may lead to infections and other diseases. A search on WebMD.com says the bacteria does not live long therefore the person utilizing the facility is not at high risk of being infected. However, we believe the extra, added protection of the liner provides a measure of comfort and safety in the occupants’ minds of knowing there is a barrier between them and the previous occupant. Also, when men sit, due to their anatomy, there is more of a chance of contact with the inside rim of the toilet, thus creating a bit more of an opportunity for germs to come into contact with their genitalia. Additionally, some people do not like to sit directly on the toilet seat so they will use the hover or squat position. The result could cause splatters and smears that would be left behind. In that case, the next occupant would have to wipe it down and put a liner down on the toilet seat. It is probably a personal preference with people and their bathroom habits. Some are probably more vigilant than others, but that is the risk you take when you use a public restroom. We think it is still a good preventative health practice to provide the liners in the public restrooms.
Group Members:
Dustin P.
Karen J.
Milora M.
I feel like this is a great example of public health! It is so important to be careful when using a public restroom because you just never know who was the last person to use it. In this day and age, diseases are spread too easily and no one wants to contract or infection. One way to easily prevent such things is to just use a seat cover at public restrooms. This was a very creative post and it made me laugh. Are you guys in the men or women's restroom?
ReplyDeleteI thought that this was an amazing choice to place the “This is Public Health” sticker. I feel that not a lot of people use the liners because they don’t really understand how it can help them. A majority of us like to assume that the restrooms are cleaned regularly so we often say to ourselves why do we have to worry about something like this. However, we can never be too sure therefore we must take action in protecting ourselves and by using these liners we are doing just that. Again, great choice guys public restrooms are something that we all use and you never know when the last time they were properly cleaned preventing the chance of germ spreading.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad this group pointed out this health issue. I personally try my hardest not to use public restrooms for the facts mentioned above. There are just too many diseases and infections that one can contract just by using these facilities. If someone is to use a public bathroom (especially one in the University Mall!!) they should without a doubt protect their nether regions with toilet liners. I agree with Ashlie as far as people not knowing the dangers of these common places. You cannot always trust that the cleaning staff will always do their best at keeping bathrooms in top conditions. Some bathrooms don't have liners accessible, but I am relieved that our local shopping mall does.
ReplyDeleteGerms are everywhere; however the risk of pick up germs increases every time you use public restrooms. Do u imagine how many person use the same bathroom on one day? So people should protect themselves by flush toilet before and after using the bathroom and use the seat cover and make sure wash their hands after using bathrooms. This was an amazing idea to place the sticker because a lot of people ignore to use toilet liners
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this. I get so upset when I use a public restroom and they don’t have seat covers because now that means I have to spend an extra fifteen seconds making one out of layers of toilet paper! One would assume since it is a PUBLIC restroom, people would have the common courtesy to leave them as clean as possible but that clearly isn’t the case (for both men and women). Even though most facilities are required to clean the restroom every hour or so, it seldom happens. Toilet seat covers are a great example of prevention.
ReplyDeleteI think this example of public health is great! A toilet liner is such a simple thing but it definitely shows that public health is all around us in every day life. I work in a department store where the restrooms are constantly left a mess and we do hourly clean ups, but obviously the restrooms are being used in between that time. I think that toilet liners are a great preventative measure to take in order to prevent unnecessary spread of infections, bacteria...etc. This was a great location to place the public health sticker because I think a lot of times people ignore toilet liners but they are actually pretty useful and convenient.
ReplyDeleteI think this was a very original and interesting choice for the Public Health sticker. I would have never thought of a toilet liner as a Public Health procedure but as I read your blog it made me realize that it is. I believe that they are very beneficial to the public, and not many people use them because they don’t know how it is beneficial for them. I believe that this blog will now help the public understand how something as small as a toilet liners can also help them.
ReplyDeleteThis is the log post that i fould most relevent to my life. Whenever I go into a restroom that does not have seat covers available, i assumethat facility is concerned with the health of their customers. Event though STI's or diseases cannot thrive on the toilet seat, it is keeping you from coming in contact with millions of germs that you may or may not be able to see. It also just makes you feel more comfortable when using the a toilet that hundreds of people use everyday.
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ReplyDeleteThis was really cool, I like that you brought attention to these toilet liners, people forget about them all the time and it's hard to get people to use them. It is a big step in preventing disease and other bacteria. It's really weird that a lot of places actually don't have these toilet liners, and it's even more weird that people don't utilize them when they are there!, thank you for bringing attention to this issue, very creative idea!
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