The ethics of unnecessary deliveries

[nomdefuckit]

AIBU to wonder about this?

We're doing a 12 week lock down as DH in the shielding group. Nobody gets in or out, including toddler

I would love to order more stuff to keep him entertained, garden stuff, DIY stuff etc

I haven't because I thought it was wrong for a number of reasons

1: infection risk - every delivery has that potential
2: employees of delivery companies should not be pressured to work more than necessary for their own health
3: more drivers going out and about is more opportunities for the virus to spread
4: there is limited capacity in the system for deliveries. It should be left for essentials

Yet I have seen on here and elsewhere (fb mainly) people talking openly about the nice candles, home furnishings, make up etc that they have ordered

Anybody else a bit shocked by this?

PrincessConsuela I did find the use of [sic] particularly pretentious and far more nauseating than some of the other guff on this thread.

I think there’s a balance. If you are having a new (non essential) item delivered daily that is probably too much. If an occasional Treat that makes life in lockdown bearable, while we are permitted to, I think that’s ok.

Do you have any thoughts about the rest of what i said though?

Ah you gotta love mumsnet

Working class people having one last pint before the pubs shut or driving to the coast on a day they’d not been told not to = stupid! Selfish! Feckless! Putting everyone at risk

Middle class mummies putting one last m&s/hush/john lewis order in = supporting the economy, my choice, it’s fine, don’t be a killjoy

Why do you always go for the lowest common denominator or the worst examples? I've seen it a few times on several threads, the majority are not arseholes crowding beaches and organising pub lockdowns.

It's also comparing apples and pears a little bit. Like associating the teens coughing on NHS staff with a 7yo on an exercise walk with their parents.

Pluck where's the best place to order compost online for a reasonable price? I want to order some soil and plants and try and make the garden look half decent!

@Ihavenoidewhatsgoingon St Eval candle company. I did my order a couple of days ago and checked their website this morning and they aren't saying anything about closing or stopping orders. I really recommend bay and rosemary

@viccat
Sorry??? Just how are deliveries ‘contactless’ ??

Mine knocked and left mine on door step

Dude I'm a TA , there's nothing middle class about me.

Only the rich will be doing this and those able to keep their jobs, wfh.
Many won't be ordering anything because they are counting the pennies.
Those ordering will stop the economy going all together, they won't keep it going as not enough of them.
I don't know anyone who is openly saying they are ordering stuff, on the contrary they are looking for stuff to sell

@JustStayAtHome Every parcel I've had since this started a few weeks ago, the delivery person put it on the floor in front of my door, knocked, and stepped well back, in keeping with the 2 metre guidance.

I can't lie, I did place an order for some bedding at John Lewis online yesterday.

I'm with bravelittledragon. I have a serious and complex mental illness and my mental health is declining already. I have ordered stuff for my fiance birthday and he for me due to the fact we can't go out. We have had the same money but less items. But I have ordered craft items etc because without stuff to distract and occupy me I would likely decline so badly I will end up in hospital and the NHS certainly doesn't need to be dealing with that. Loads of people are ordering online. The economy is taking a massive hit so it needs to somehow be kept going. Even Boris says he wants economic movement where it can. I have bought bits whilst food shopping too. I really do not want to be declining much more, i have done that before and it's awful.

“ Why do you always go for the lowest common denominator or the worst examples? I've seen it a few times on several threads, the majority are not arseholes crowding beaches and organising pub lockdowns. ”

You’re not getting what i’m saying. None of those people who did those things thought there was anything wrong with it. The pubs were open - so they went. The hairdressers hadn’t closed - so they went. They’d been told it was ok to get exercise outside - so they drove in their thousands to beaches and beauty spots. All of them only saw their own choice in its vacuum. They didn’t think about the impact on other people or what would happen if everyone did the same thing. Just like with all the people trying to justify ordering new cushions or fancy candles. No individual’s actions were that of an arsehole, but they made their choice thinking only of themselves and en masse their behaviour caused harm to other people.

Do you not see how this is the same? Just because you haven’t specifically been told that something is a bad idea, it doesn’t mean it’s fine and dandy and there’s no need to stop and think and consider the impact on other people. What do you think about the posts on this thread by warehouse workers?

At least people will be in when the deliveries are made

I'm on the fence with this one

The gap between people at home on full pay and those whose jobs have either gone or entail great personal risk for not much money is going to open right up soon.

Some of you are saying, deliveries are done carefully but you don't see 8 of us in a small space sorting the parcels, 4 cars parked side by side while couriers load their cars. I've not been given any gloves, mask or sanitiser.

I am feeling a little vunlnerable doing deliveries and also questioning whether I want to continue. I don't need the money, yet but neither do I want all my hard earned savings gone.
It's ok saying keep the economy going but would you be happy with a member of your family delivering? Would you want them in your house?

I’ve ordered things from Dunelm today - they’ve just reintroduced deliveries. They’ve assured the public that they have taken advice on how to deliver safely and so that’s good enough for me. If people obviously don’t feel safe, then they should feel free not to order stuff.

What do you think about the posts on this thread by warehouse workers?

Struggling with it which is why I haven't replied to any of it. Will do once I get my thoughts sorted about it. I'm definitely sympathetic to their struggles and it's not right when they are forced to work in unsafe and unsanitary conditions.

And it appears people's mental health is more important than my and my fellow couriers physical health?! I've delibered parcels and the person has sprayed them with disinfectant or put gloves on to pick it up. Yet I get zero protection.

I think amidst all this - for a reason I cannot quite put my finger on - there seems to be a particular kind of person on MN who have their own specific brand of Covid restrictions and who seem to be relishing in said personal brand - and ready to flagellate those that - shock horror - follow the guidelines as set out nationally. It’s almost as though designing pet covid projects of who-can-be-the-most-miserable-whilst-designing-the-most-punishing-lifestyle is now a competition. I can recognise this pattern but I can’t understand why. I suppose at the other extreme are those looking for incessant loopholes and acting silly and not obeying things. The vast majority I think fall in the I suppose boring intermediary area of just fucking doing what the guidelines currently are no more no less. I can sort of understand the misguided lunacy of those violating things and taking it lightly, but I cannot for my life fathom the reasons for the self-flagellating crew. Just why?

I am feeling a little vunlnerable doing deliveries and also questioning whether I want to continue. I don't need the money, yet but neither do I want all my hard earned savings gone.

Not being goady but if people stop ordering completely/only order essentials will you still have a job? Won't you deplete all your savings then?

@viccatand @Boobooboo84

Ahhhhh I see!!!! They left it on the doorstep so YOU wouldn’t catch anything???

So what about the people who have to handle all this unnecessary shit?? Have to work closely with colleagues in order to get it to you on conditions getting worse by the day?? Eh?

Couldn’t give a flying fuck could you??

@Artie

Is that directed at me? If so it makes no sense whatsoever

Yes @PrincessConsueIaBananaHammock..... we get furloughed

It will be fine