MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — When it comes to where Americans fear coming in contact with germs most amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not hospitals, healthcare facilities, restaurants or workplaces.
It is retail stores, according to a survey from Bradley Corp., a Menomonee Falls, Wis.-based designer and manufacturer of restroom equipment.
About 70% of respondents to the company’s survey, conducted April 6-7, said they are extremely or very concerned about contracting the coronavirus.
Click through to see how people are thinking about hand-washing amid the coronavirus crisis ...
Ninety-one percent of respondents said it is extremely or somewhat important that public restrooms are equipped with touchless fixtures.
Seven percent said they were neutral on the question and 2% said it was not important.
Sixty percent said their preference for touchless hand-washing fixtures has risen a great deal since the pandemic began.
“Making everything touchless is now the most requested improvement,” said Jon Dommisse, director of strategy and corporate development for Bradley. “Just months ago, in December 2019, the most desired upgrade was keeping restrooms cleaner and better stocked. In both cases, it’s clear that Americans have grown more averse to germ hot-spots in restrooms.”
The survey concluded that 90% of people said they are washing their hands more frequently or more thoroughly, and 78% are washing their hands six or more times a day. Prior to the outbreak, only 37% washed their hands that often, according to Bradley.
Also, 77% of respondents said they are washing their hands for at least 20 seconds.
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