Where Are The Restrooms?

 

Photo by Buchen WANG on Unsplash

Where have I been? Why haven’t I written a blog post lately? It turns out that I had a son recently. Yes, I am a first-time father. The feeling is indescribable. Sleepless nights, feedings, changing diapers — the best of the best. I love it honestly. But life is not always great.

In the current post, I want to tell of recent experience (a surgery) for our child (newborn baby) during the COVID-19 pandemic. It turns out. The situation was exacerbated by the lack of toilets open to society.

Albert is born

When our son was born — Albert — on March 14th of this year, he had a hernia. After a few days of always running around to see different doctors, a pediatric surgeon said that due to the COVID-19 crisis, all elective surgeries are canceled until further notice.

Albert is now five months old. Over the past four months, my wife and I have been dealing with Albert’s hernia. Albert was born with a hernia that resulted from his abdomen wall not closing correctly. The hole did not close properly after the right testicle drops.

This type of hernia occurs in 2% of the population in boys. Ironically, I, too, had a hernia as a child. A hernia is not passed on by a genetic trait.

Surgery time!

Amid the changing times in society with the recurring rise in the COVID-19 virus pandemic, carrying about in the world is entirely different. Not only is social distancing a common practice, frequent cleaning of conveyor belts in grocery store lines along with sanitizing becoming a commonplace.

On top of the additional responsibilities of store employees, most businesses have shut down there restrooms. From Starbucks to McDonald’s, yellow tape surrounds bathrooms — which makes them appear like crime scenes. Also, this presents a significant problem for customers looking to use the restroom.

In Los Angeles County, grocery stores are supposed to offer restrooms to all customers. What has transpired is that grocery stores are diversified in their ability to provide restroom access to the public. What do I mean by this?

Certain grocery stores are requiring customers to purchase products to access the restroom code, which is discriminatory and illegal. What about homeless people? What about those residents who do not have money to pay to use the restroom? This is a significant problem.

Returning to the day of my son’s surgery in July. We arrived early on the day of the procedure — at 5 a.m. He was not admitted until 6:30 a.m. — after a series of room changes due to COVID-19 security. On top of all of the security concerns within the hospital came that outside.

As I mentioned earlier, the grocery stores were not allowing customers (non-paying) to use the restrooms. Additionally, each patient had to be admitted by themselves — unless under 18 years of age. My wife was able to sit with Albert (4 months old) before and after his procedure. At the same time, I was stuck waiting out in the car in the parking lot.

My anxiety was raised through the roof without access to a restroom. I ended up driving home to use the bathroom — which took a 1-hour long trip. An unnecessary trip had the toilet been unlocked in the grocery store.

Where are all of the people going to the bathroom

While sitting in the car, wondering when my baby boy would be released from the hospital, I could not help but consider others besides myself. Where are other people going to use the restroom? I might not have the best bladder, but I certainly do not have the worst?

Throughout the pandemic, my wife and I have gone on a couple of excursions out of town, without staying in a hotel overnight. One overarching observation was that there are no restrooms available for those who want to leave their houses. Again, where are these people I see outside using the bathroom? I am genuinely confounded by the idea of no restrooms and people outside of their houses.

Conclusion

I may never know the answer to my question. But I will continue to wonder. Further, I will continue to ask others around me where they are seeking out a restroom when leaving their houses. Yes, the question may be awkward. The answer could entail a public health hazard. That is if everyone is using the space outside locked facilities.

The availability of restrooms is a problem for those who wish to leave their houses during the pandemic. Life is not the same. Before you go out of the house, think twice about the restroom. The small things count.