Well, if the seat is dry, the ass gasket can be an effective barrier against the parts that touch the seat. But the ass gaskets we have at work leave half your ass exposed to direct contact.

If you get wet through the gasket, you might as well not have anything there.

However, the toilet seat isn't as dirty as compared to the handles of things, stall door, faucet, soap, towels, door.

Compared to some of the people in that place (work) I'm a germophobe. :dunno:

When you hear the guy next to you crap a horse, doesn't wipe, gets up and just leaves, doesn't even stop at the sink or pretend to wash... yea... I don't touch anything in that bathroom.