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?

If we don’t make some effort to keep the economy going more people will die from the recession than the virus itself. There have been a few articles on this. It will mean an increase in the number living in poverty and the knock on impact on life expectancy should not be underestimated.

If all the individuals involved in the delivery of any items take the necessary precautions then the risk is low for all concerned. Most websites I’ve been on have a section on the adjustments/precautions they are taking.

I am torn. I know ethically encouraging deliveries is wrong as it is just adding to the spread of the virus. But due to having to tighten our belts over the last few months, we were planning on my first wage packet in my new job gong towards buying our twins their birthday presents. I get paid on the 31st and their birthday is the 2nd. It's shitty enough for them to be away from their friends and not being able to go to the park etc. Now they don't have anything to open either. Their grandparents are self isolating due to underlying medical conditions so can't get them anything and are hugely upset about it.

I'm planning on ordering a couple of bits from one shop to be delivered in case I can't access those aisles in the supermarket. But this is something I am wrangling with. Fortunately we have a little more time for the older 2 (May birthdays) but I am planning on getting theirs at the same time as the twins so we don't have this problem again. The oldest would definitely understand, but two nearly 8 year olds and a nearly 10 year old with SEN would massively struggle to not get even a small gift with everything else that is going on as well.

Why don't we all just lock ourselves in an empty room and stare at the ceiling for fun? The psychopaths are in charge, don't forget that.

So it seems.

What the fuck has happened? I hope I wake from this nightmare soon.

I've just ordered a TV and some fence paint. Keeping the economy going and I'm being extremely sensible in all areas of my life. Going for 1 local walk a day with my daughter and that's it. I don't feel bad one bit :)

People are often ordering things that will enable them to function and stay sane for the duration of this situation. I have done exactly this - not exactly essentials but all things that will make it easier, eg printer ink so we can print the children's worksheets, exercise mat so we can work out indoors, desk so everyone has somewhere to work.

I've got a few deliveries coming, my dd turns 5 at the beginning of may, shes doing so well in understanding we cant go out etc but I imagine it would have broke her heart if I wasnt organised with presents. I've also ordered some more yarn for me, craft supplies for the kids and a puzzle for dh and I. Obviously none of these are essential but i think keeping occupied is important

Tell you what op. You do what you think is best. And I will do what I think is best. I’ve ordered things for my dd for example, because she’s an only child and can’t see her friends so she needs to be somewhat amused. I’m disabled and need more surgery. I am barely mobile. If you don’t like how I’m running things, tough. It keeps the economy afloat and makes my life bearable.

Boring real life story:
We had a fish and chip take away delivered last night! We are a family of 6 and aren't going out unless it's for food shop every 7 days or so. So ... we ordered our take away by phone. The usual delivery bloke arrived wearing gloves, knocked on the door and stood right back. It's the first time we've had a delivery of food from them for 2 weeks.

I opened the door and stood right back in the hall and shouted said ''hello, how are you?'', and then asked him how he wanted to do this. He said shut the door and he'd poke the chips through the letterbox one at a time. We laughed. I put the money on the doorstep and closed the door he put the food down and took the money. I opened the door again and took the food and we said goodbye as he walked back down the drive. I unpacked the f+c from it's wrappers, chucked them away and then washed my hands thoroughly. If no one orders from our local village chippy they'll go under. The delivery guy would be out of a job. How he handled the cash i don't know, but they don't take cards. The doorbell and the letterbox get a good wipe down every morning.

We've ordered seeds and a couple of those soil grow bags online. For veg planting. When we order online we pay online and the packages get left outside. Sometimes they ring the bell sometimes they don't.

Friend works in one of the Amazon warehouses - she's as happy as anyone can be in these circumstances that not only is she getting more money at present, but she's still able to go out to work and leave the kids with their father.

We've ordered bedding plants, bird feeders and all sorts to liven up time in the garden or me working from home in the conservatory - the deliveries come up the road (our house is such that I can see them coming) they ring the bell and I give a thumbs up through the window that I'm coming to the door and they go back to their vans. So same as normal really only the Hermes guy is a lot slower dropping and running away now than he used to be (guy would put Usain Bolt to shame with his drop and scarper routine)!

The government are encouraging people to continue to shop online and have said so. The economy is collapsing around our ears.

@MadameButterface - well, yes. Different people are trying different things as a way of managing their mental health. Because, you know, people are different and no one knows quite what will work.

I have just ordered some books for my son whose exams have been cancelled and is wandering around like a lost soul not knowing what to do with himself. No school, no exams to revise for, all his sport cancelled, not allowed to see his friends and I don’t want him on tech or the Xbox 24/7. I’m sure people will think this is unnecessary but for me it’s important.

OP, do you have a shed or garage? Can you get anything you need and ask them to put it in there and leave it for a week?

You’re all staying in is completely understandable. We also know people where the partner can’t go out, as they are a carer and needed for their partner and they have to isolate in the house if they leave, but staying in means they can not have to distance in the house.

I've been torn about this too and think that if we all curb what we order but keep ordering it will keep businesses afloat and drivers in work. I have noticed on Amazon that things seem pretty stretched as an item I needed was showing a date of end of April.

I do think deliveries are safe if they are done correctly - driver leaves item at the door and then it is cleaned/outer packaging disposed of followed by hand washing.

I also think ordering from small online independent retailers and shops where you can is at the moment very important to help keep them afloat.

I am an online bookseller
OP you may think I am behaving in an unethical way , and I have had thought long and hard about closing.
However books can help take peoples mind of things , and help maintain mental health - there is only so much rolling news people can take- A bit of escapism does not go amiss in these troubled times
PS to the person no longer buying on Amazon , please remember there are may excellent small companies that sell on marketplace

The authorities are perfectly capable of banding unnecessary deliveries if necessary (or if they want to). Only a few days ago we were being told to get games and jigsaws etc. for kids out of school to pass the time in doors.

these are the sort of conditions asos warehouse staff are being forced to work in and anyone who thinks other big mail order companies aren’t being similarly cavalier with the health of their lowest paid staff in order to wring as much profit out of this crisis as possible simply hasn’t been paying attention to how capitalism works sorry bout it 💁🏻‍♀️

I've just seen on Facebook a girl who has left little gifts on each of her friends doorsteps. Lovely gesture but surely it's increasing the risk of spreading the virus.

Why don't we all just lock ourselves in an empty room and stare at the ceiling for fun? The psychopaths are in charge, don't forget that.

Well yeah it does seem like that at the moment doesn't it.

As an small online business I will continue as long as I can.

@nomdefuckit cars and paper packaging has been shown to have very little viable amounts of virus very quickly. It’s minimal risk.

@batvixen123 does that mean it’s ok to get a dozen of my pals round for a piss up later then? Cos that would help my mental health no end. Can you say missing the point?

They've emptied the mental health units near me pretty much and they are now Covid-19 wards.

So where the fuck have all the people who are supposed to be on the mental health wards gone?

People are using ‘but muh mental heath’ as an excuse for doing all sorts during this aren’t they

Well, yes. Because everyone is different and handles things differently.

Being cooped up inside with sod all to do for weeks/months on end is awful for anyone's well-being. If someone wants to treat themselves to new clothes or a book or wants to take up a hobby, then why the hell not?