Dilemma - son’s paper round

[mrsbeeton999]

My son does a daily paper round. The shop owner told them to speak to parents and they can continue to do paper round if we’re happy. We said no as felt we aren’t being fair sitting safely working from home but sending him out to work daily touching gates doors etc and standing in busy shop for 15 minutes collecting papers. I’m now feeling bad for shop owner. He works so hard his shop is really busy. His wife is a doctor working long hours and now he’s got to somehow deliver papers too so he doesn’t let customers down (mostly elderly) and my son is down £100 a month. Son is 14. Any thoughts gratefully received

Here, we receive papers wrapped in plastic and chucked onto our front gardens - just how it's always done. Could you perhaps suggest that to the shop owner? Would be safer for the person receiving the paper too.

Our local newsagents have put special measures in place to protect paper boys/girls. They are provided with gloves daily they are only allowed to collect papers 2 at a time keeping a 4 meter distance. Maybe call the newsagent and ask what special measures he's put in place it may help out your mind at rest enough to let your DS carry on his paper round. I do understand your concerns though OP

@Hmmmm88 why two papers at a time?

Sorry i meant only two paper boys/girls in the shop to collect papers so they are not all in there together at the same time and in close contact. The rest queue up outside where news agency has marked with chalk 2 metres apart

Ah I understand. I was thinking the two metre rule applied to newspapers!

is this essential work.
i dont think so.
so maybe it should not be done.
i wouldn't let mine take any risks.
people are meant to stay inside, at home, except for brief exercise once a day, unless they are essential workers. i dont see how this is essential.
im sorry for the shopkeeper, but maybe he has to suspend deliveries.

I just posted a similar thread. It's really hard to know what to do :(

No, don't let him. It's not essential and your son doesn't need the money to pay bills. I'm afraid you have to think of yourselves and your family's health not other peoples businesses. (And I say that as the owner of a failing business due to CV!)

With sensible precautions it should be OK. Assuming your ds is not in school the ideal would be for the papers to be ready for each boy/girl before they get to the shop, could he open earlier for the paper round, I'm thinking 3am rather than 7am.

DS provided with gloves and a mask, the mask will not stop him breathing in but it will stop him touching his mouth and nose.

Could the newsagent ask his customers to leave gates open and say the paper will be left on the door step?

With precautions and provided your son has no health issues nor does anyone at home, I would let him if he wants as many people will be relying on getting their paper.
He will at low risk of contacting it if he wears gloves etc and at low risk if he does contract it.

Delivery work is essential. And even if not, everyone has to go to work if their work is not closed down and you cannot work from home. Newspapers themselves are essential in times of crisis, especially for those isolated and without access to internet or TV. Obviously, a 13 year old doesn’t have the same pressing need to pay bills and rent that an adult has, so there’s more wriggle room. It’s much less risky than for the thousands of volunteers now being requested to sign up to help the vulnerable.

DS is still delivering. Until the govt bans it. It's still legal & other delivery services are allowed. DS has picked up an extra round this week so probably your shop owner will find another teenager willing to do it, too.

DS keeps getting £20 tips from one customer on his Sunday-only round... I'm a bit worried customer is either senile or grooming, but DS is keeping an eye on it.

The number of requests for paper delivery has actually gone up - because of the number of vulnerable people self-isolating who cannot go out for a paper.

Unless he or a member of your household are vulnerable I would let him continue, he's helping those who can't go out get a paper, not everyone has internet. Wear gloves

Definitely let him continue - everyone needs to do their bit.

DS is still delivering papers. The majority off his our elderly and probably enjoy the routine off receiving the paper.

DS took over the round from his sister, a couple off oldies wrtie notes to us. He doesn't meet anyone else on the round and gets him outside for freshair.

I totally get your concern.
But I have been taking emergency calls from elderly people who are isolated. A lot of them don't have Internet or TV and the daily paper is what gets them the information. It's not an emergency delivery so we can't offer it, but it will mean loads to these people to get it.
Tell him not to ring doorbells or tough letter boxes (or anything else if he can help it) or stop to talk to friends.
When he gets home immediately strip clothes off for wash and have a shower.
Thank him from someone who knows how much difference it makes to some lonely people.

And if he's delivering the DM then they'll not run short of toilet paper either.

Thanks everyone. He normally stands in shop chatting while man collates papers for the round. I think I’ll give him a call today and if he can have papers ready to avoid that part say he can carry on. Assuming he hasn’t been sacked. It’s so difficult

I wish I lived near you - our only newsagent has closed and let the paper boys go 'to protect them'. I've had a paper delivered for 40 years and spend a lot of time reading it and doing the crosswords. As it's not essential, I can't justify driving to the nearest petrol station to buy one. I'm irrationally gutted by this final straw to being isolated - first my darling family and now my BLOODY PAPER!