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Original poster

Or not? Friend wants me to go to supermarket with her?

118 replies

tanff · 24/03/2020 21:51

My friend asked me if tomorrow I would go food shopping with her as she is scared.
She has bad anxiety and is terrified of this coronavirus.
I have enough shopping and plan to order one for two weeks from now.
I care for my 98 year old gran (who lives a 3 min walk and I see nobody )
I don't want to go to the supermarket just incase but if I don't go my friend won't be able to go alone.
I don't know what to do.

OP posts:
MyDcAreMarvel · 24/03/2020 21:52

Don’t go , you need to keep your gran safe.

Windyatthebeach · 24/03/2020 21:52

Suggest she face times you as she walks round the shop instead...
Anxiety is safer than coronavirus...

bridgetreilly · 24/03/2020 21:52

Can't she give you her list and you do the shopping for her?

AccidentsAhoy · 24/03/2020 21:52

Tell her the advice is not to meet friends. Fo any reason
She needs to stay 2m away from everyone in the shops.

Tell her you can't go

bridgetreilly · 24/03/2020 21:53

Or better, she ask a different friend who isn't caring for a vulnerable older relative.

cardibach · 24/03/2020 21:53

You aren’t allowed to go places with someone not in your household. It’s tough, but that’s the way it is - especially as you care for a vulnerable person. I empathise with your friend, but she’ll have to find another way of getting shopping.

nowmorethanever · 24/03/2020 21:53

You clearly can’t go but I like the FaceTime idea.

Does she have anyone else to ask?

Homemadearmy · 24/03/2020 21:54

Can she get shopping delivered. Maybe through a local support group if no delivery slots

Thehop · 24/03/2020 21:54

“I’m sorry I have to isolate as much as possible for my gran, I’m. It doing my own shopping. It I’m here in spirit and happy to talk you through it on the phone, of you can’t get anyone else to go”

mummymayhem18 · 24/03/2020 21:55

You won't get any online shopping in 2/3 weeks as all the supermarket slots are full for at least the next month. If she's a good friend maybe get the shopping for her if you don't want to go with her. I understand your concern for your nan though so you have to do what's right for you.

gamerchick · 24/03/2020 21:56

You can't see people from other householder. It's shit, but it is what it is.

I do like the facetime idea though.

Bumblebee1980a · 24/03/2020 21:56

Suggest she orders her shopping online and if it says two weeks (mine did) order anyway and FaceTime you whilst she is shopping for groceries (until she gets her online shop delivered). Or she could look at getting local shops to deliver. We live somewhere where a farm and greengrocers deliver so maybe that is possible?

PepePig · 24/03/2020 21:57

No. She'll need to find another way to cope.

dontgobaconmyheart · 24/03/2020 21:57

Can she be on the phone to you perhaps? I wouldn't go due to social distancing but would certainly call her while she is there and chat. Vulnerability comes in many forms...

Ontheboardwalk · 24/03/2020 21:59

I’m not getting why people are suggesting tanff does the shopping for her friend when they don’t need to go shopping themselves!

Friend needs to step up and sort herself out. It will be difficult but these are difficult time’s for all

wowfudge · 24/03/2020 21:59

She can get one of Morrisons shopping boxes delivered by DPD.

Skysblue · 24/03/2020 22:00

Has she tried corner shops? Obvs depends where she is but local shops round here have a decent selection without the full supermarket stress.

Definitely don’t go with her.

maddy68 · 24/03/2020 22:01

No. You shouldn't be meeting her!

Ariela · 24/03/2020 22:02

Suggest she or you asks locally if there is anyone can help an anxious person - my friend is extremely anxious and can no longer face the co-op opposite as it is too busy. Unfortunately she lives miles from me but luckily a local organisation have been doing her shopping

ginnybag · 24/03/2020 22:04

It isn't a case of should you. You can't

You don't to go shopping.
You aren't her carer.
It isn't essential work
It isn't outdoor exercise

And, she isn't part of your household.

No permitted reason for you to go out and you can't mix with her in person.

Tell her you'll be on the phone if she wants but you can't go with her

MrsT1405 · 24/03/2020 22:07

No no no, your family has to come first. There are many workarounds suggested here.

WorriedMummyNow · 24/03/2020 22:10

Do reassure her though that the shops have been pretty quiet today and relatively well-stocked. Most of the panic buying has stopped for now at least so it's a good time for her to pop out tomorrow.

Original poster
tanff · 24/03/2020 22:10

Im going to tell her I can't go.
She wants me to go to bank then two supermarkets in town.
I just don't feel safe
I want to avoid the city centre from now.

OP posts:
Original poster
tanff · 24/03/2020 22:11

Do you think if I pop out there's a chance il catch it?

OP posts:
Winterwoollies · 24/03/2020 22:13

Of course there’s a chance you’ll get it if you ‘pop out’. That’s precisely why BoJo has told everyone to stay at home.

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