The Problem

In 2020, the focal point of life is the global outbreak of the pandemic COVID-19. Every aspect of life in today’s society revolves around avoiding the transmission and passing of germs. One obvious area that germs fester is in a public restroom. A recent study found that approximately 77,900 germs reside in a public restroom and are transferred from surface to surface (C., 2019). Further, the type of germs most commonly found in public restrooms are either bacteria or viruses, including but not limited to hepatitis A, the common cold, or E. Coli  (What Can You Catch in Restrooms?, 2019).

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Germs in bathrooms cannot be easily avoided. However, the problem with germs only occurs when the hand that has touched an infected surface contacts the nose or face. This is when the germ becomes dangerous and enters the body. Following that logic, if hand to hand contact with public bathroom surfaces can be avoided, the likelihood of germs entering a body and becoming dangerous will decrease significantly.

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With the hands-free bathroom stall latch system, public bathroom stalls become safer for all who enter. Penn State University Park alone houses over 1,000 communal or public restrooms. With the installation of a hands-free bathroom stall latch, the public restroom experience can become more comfortable.

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The effects of the COVID-19 outbreak will reside with the world long after a vaccine is discovered. This means that hypersensitivity to germs and bacteria is here to stay, and a solution to one of the germiest locations needs to be implemented as soon as possible.