Covid-19 and purity spirals

Nope, they can just be blocked off by shops

I really don't understand why not permitting people to buy certain types of items at a supermarket can help in fighting a virus? So long as people are socially distancing - what issue can there possibly be?

I do have to agree with some other posters that there is so much 'visible' and 'self reported' virtue signalling going - all under the guise of being unselfish and considerate much of which has absolutely zero net effect in reducing the impact of coronavirus. It has become a form of social tyranny.

My daughter discovered today that the elderly woman who she shops for twice a week, and who has quite exacting standards and specificity of produce ( being vegan), also has another neighbour going shopping for her too...but apparently does get out for a walk on a daily basis.

I think we are all doing, as best we can, to meet our own needs and those of our families - but each in our own, individual ways, according to our natures. I think there are some people who actually love being at home all of the time, and spend their days baking, for example.

Maybe some are staying home and being absolutely 'religious' - but at the same time doing a lot of on-line shopping......which necessitates lots of other people to work to order, and to deliver; thus exposing themselves on their behalf, as one example.

(bows head in fake shame)

Prodigal that sounds a bit... luxurious.

I am enjoying my oolong very much. It's scented with orchids!

I'm drinking red wine right now. I'm trying not to enjoy it but I can't help it, it's very nice.

Glass of wine before bed? I'm still on the oolong but no reason I can't toast with that.

I think I'm done too. The discussion is completely illogical to me.

TheProdigalKittensReturn

So ignore me then. No one is making you reply.

isabellerossignol

Have you seen the graphics that show how many people one person can infect? It's set out like a family tree. Top line is 1 person, 2nd line is 3 people, 3rd line shows each of those three infect another three and so on. By the time you get to the tenth line the number infected is in the thousands. If you reduce just three or four interactions you reduce the numbers down to hundreds or even tens.

This is the same principle. Say you go to buy ten items and then buy one extra item, that is an extra chance to catch it. For each extra item you pick up the risk goes up. So it's not about eliminating the risk entirely but about reducing it as much as you can.

As for how is someone at risk from lifting an item off the shelf - from the time taken to walk to the shelf and select the item ( extra shoppers that they encounter during that time) and from the risk of touching objects that might be contaminated (the more items you pick up the greater the chance one of them is infected).

That wasn't the scenario I was referring to. I was talking about a queuing system where you are queuing in the aisle anyway. What difference does it make to lift something off a shelf when you're standing there and can't move forward anyway?

I've actually only been to the supermarket once since this whole thing started. The entire shop was open but no one was browsing due to the one way system and the spacing on the floor and the need to move along. And as for 'the more things you touch, the more risk', why would you only apply that to luxury items? There's no difference risk wise between a tin of soup and a bottle of wine.

Look, again, as kindly as this can be said - this is ridiculous. I am not having this conversation with you, and I don't think anyone else should anymore either.

TheProdigalKittensReturn

Because what you are saying is that you think what you are doing is ok and no one must pass comment on it, but it's fine for you to judge other people who are doing more than you.

You've argued all day that people are fine to buy whatever a shop sells. Now it turns out what you're really saying is "it's fine to buy a bottle of wine". If you're ok with people looking around the shop and buying what they want that's browsing isn't it? How can you be against browsing but ok with people looking around and buying what they want?

isabellerossignol

But of course people are. You might not be going for a browse but many people are. I really can't get why some of you are justifying being able to buy whatever you want in s shop and simultaneously saying you aren't suggesting people browse. Have you not been into a shop before? How many times do you see people go directly to the aisles that they need, pick up immediately what they want and then leave?

As for how is someone at risk from lifting an item off the shelf - from the time taken to walk to the shelf and select the item ( extra shoppers that they encounter during that time) and from the risk of touching objects that might be contaminated (the more items you pick up the greater the chance one of them is infected).

Mrsfrumble

You might think walking in a park is lower risk but it isn't no risk is it?

DJLippy

Thank you. I appreciate you saying that

And this is what I mean, and has been the whole thread in a nutshell. Someone points out that something isn't really particularly risky, or no more so than some other thing, or asks a question, and gets back wild exaggeration and angry accusations. To which they respond with eye rolling and mockery, because what was said was silly, and then the cyle repeats. The cycle can only stop if someone breaks it, so I'm suggesting that we break it at the point where someone has said "why is my taking a bottle of wine off the shelf when I'm there already?" and they get back "so you intend to browse for an hour and then go sunbathe and that's why we're all going to die".

Boris Johnson and the powers that be want us to turn on each other and blame us rather than them

That really is neither true nor helpful.

I’ve explained why walking in the park can be safer than walking in the street. In the street I have to step into the road to avoid oncoming pedestrians. In the park I can step on to some grass. If you’re familiar with Seven Sisters Road you’ll understand why I’d choose the park.

I have been on what feels like about a million coronavirus threads over the past few weeks and I haven't seen anyone say anything about wanting to go to the shops for a nice browse around.

And I asked hours ago how I could possibly put someone at risk by lifting something off a shelf and putting it into my trolley, when I'm already standing in that aisle because of the queuing system and you conveniently ignored the question because it doesn't fit your narrative about selfish shoppers spending hours browsing.

Hooves I know I've been quite snarky with you past couple of days but I hope you realise it's not meant in a bitchy or cruel way. I always admire the women who argue alone against the storm on social media - even if I disagree with them. Having everyone 'attack' you is psychologically damaging I know from my own experience. We are all dealing with this crisis in our own way and I think many of us have just become cartoon versions of ourselves. I have gone argumentative and crack inappropriate jokes. You are doing your thing.

People not following rules will lead to an extended lockdown. More time away from family and trapped at home. However, we have just had to change our entire culture over night. It's against our human nature to self-isolate. I didn't realise how much of my behaviour was driven by a hidden urge to connect. Go to the cinema to watch a film; watch a gig; prey at Church; work put at the gym.. On the surface we are just enjoying our hobbies but on a deeper level we just wanted to be near to other people - even strangers. Humans crave connection.

You come from a good place. you want to be able to connect with your loved ones and feel safe. Boris Johnson and the powers that be want us to turn on each other and blame us rather than them. The government has mishandled this situation. Globalization has created the conditions under which Corona thrives. It's natural to look for something to blame but the woman going to the shops to buy hair conditioner is not to blame for the lockdown. We have to adapt our lifestyles overnight and it's not easy. Lay the blame where it belongs. It's a systemic crisis - no individual is to blame for this situation, not Mrs Brown at 59 who buys wine with her weekly shop.

but according to you lot there's no risk in going to the shops for a good browse

I'm sorry to hear of your situation but I don't think anyone has said that.

DidoLamenting

We've got the four big supermarkets here. All selling everything they normally would

I know it's a scary time, but refusing to approach things rationally isn't helping anyone.

Have you seen the advice in the shielding letter? Don't go outside of your house, pack a bag ready for hospital, don't sleep in the same bed as your partner, eat your meals in a separate room, use a separate bathroom or ensure its cleaned before you use it, limit time spent in the same room as other members of the household and stay two metres apart at all times - is it any wonder that I am hypervigilant about this? Apparently I'm at risk from eating my dinner in the same room as my husband but according to you lot there's no risk in going to the shops for a good browse.

The only mixed use supermarket we have used is M & S - only the foodhall is accessible.

Once again.

"You're right, Eresh. Responding is just feeding whatever is going on there, and we should all stop."

TheProdigalKittensReturn

But you have been arguing for people to be able to buy whatever the shops are selling. Then you say well, buying s couple of extra treats won't make any difference. But you weren't originally arguing for people to be limited to a couple of extra treats. You think it's fine for people to buy whatever is for sale - which might well add on an extra 30 minutes to the shopping trip

In a London borough. All of our supermarkets are trading exactly as normal. I can't believe yours aren't?

Our local superstores are still selling everything. Clothes, electricals, non food - all still open

Where do you live? I live in a major tourist city , city. Nothing is open apart from foodshops , chemists and a very limited number of post offices. And so far as foodshops the luxury home baking/ luxury chocolate shops luxury coffee and tea merchants aren't open.