apropos1:

...It doesn't only 'matter at the moment of use'. It's also way more hygenic to close the toilet when you flush, and I'm assuming you flush just about every time you use it. Numerous studies show that germs cover the entire room with each flush if it's left open. I doubt many people want to close the cover and seat, flush, then raise the whole thing up again.

I'm confused- we are arguing about the toilet seat here, not the toilet cover. Normally public toilets do NOT have a cover.

Anyways- back to the toilet seat argument- it's much better to have the toilet seat UP when you flush. Because otherwise water can splash onto the toilet seat if you flush with the toilet seat down.