"Too crazy for words that even at my own dentist I can't go to the bathroom normally."

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NORTH-HOLLAND The fact that many shops, restaurants and attractions are closed means that many toilets are also inaccessible. For most people no problem, but for those with bladder or intestinal problems feels less free. The Amsterdam Henriette Aronson (69) knows all about it. "I don't mind paying for the toilet"

Because of a chronic bladder infection, Henriëtte has to go to the toilet much more often than average. Despite that ailment she normally goes out the door regularly. "Then I go to the toilet at the station, at the HEMA or at the Albert Heijn."

This has become a lot harder since the corona crisis erupted, she says. Of course, she too is mainly at home during this corona crisis, on the border of the Rivierenbuurt and De Pijp. "But I have to go shopping anyway."

And then the distress regularly runs high. Many shops are simply closed, but also opened shops have shut down their sanitary facilities for customers - if any - for hygienic reasons.

Toilet alliance

Henriëtte is not the only one, according to the answer to a frequently asked question on the website waarkaniknaardewc.nl of the Toilet Alliance. "We're getting more reports about this and we understand that this is very annoying," says the Gastrointestinal Society. "After all, you may feel less free to go outside anymore."

The Maag Lever Darm Foundation calls on entrepreneurs who are still open to make their toilets available. The Toilet Alliance calls on people with special toilet needs to make this known to entrepreneurs, and to make them aware of the possibility to sign up for the app. High Emergency.

That Heerhugowaard company has noticed that many patients are getting into trouble lately. Even for people who have no ailment or condition, it has been difficult lately to find a toilet, says co-owner Hjalmar Duif. "People without a condition now sometimes experience what it is like in normal times for people with intestinal or bladder diseases.

Municipalities need to take control

Although most people can 'still accept' the lack of available toilets for the first few weeks, it's time for action, says Duif. "We are in a transition period," he says of the change to a society of half-metres. "The question is how to provide sufficient safe toilets. Municipalities must take the lead in this, in collaboration with us."

Duif mentions Den Bosch as a best practice. Because almost everything there is closed, hardly any public toilets are accessible. The city council could not bear this and decided to place mobile units.

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"As far as I know, that's the only city that's done that so far, but there are other municipalities affiliated with our app. Amsterdam also shows in our app where you can go to the toilet in the municipality".

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Source: https://www.nhnieuws.nl/nieuws/266654/te-gek-voor-woorden-dat-ik-zelfs-bij-mijn-eigen-tandarts-niet-normaal-naar-de-wc-kan