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?

I've bought clothes, vitamins, and skin care stuff.

Zero guilt.

People ordering online from me (a one-person small business) are helping me pay my bills and feed my family this month. I'm very grateful to the postal workers enabling online businesses like mine to survive.

I agree with @adaline. There's no need to be so rude, @MadameButterface.

If you don't know how to debate, don't bother posting. Using insults make you look dim, not other posters.

@nomdefuckit

No you were posting on a poetic or upbeat thread about what people were buying to help them through lockdown.

And you entered, spreading your joy.

Thankfully, for the just part, you were ignored!

I’ve ordered loads. A new bed and desk to turn our box room into an office. The current bed in there is huge and I’ve wanted to replace it for a while but now I need to in order to be able to make somewhere to work. DH and I are both trying to wfh and home school two kids at our kitchen table. It makes conference calls stressful and we both have a lot.

I’ve also ordered tons of school books, paper and printer supplies etc.

“ I won't be made to feel guilty for doing something that's not only perfectly legal, but is also vital for the economy. “

Is also what a load of people said about going to the pub last week before they all shut officially

This thread has had the opposite effect on me. I have a deep urge to now order something to make DD happy. I'd order something for OH too but he's a miserable sod and nothing will make him happy until he's allowed back out into the world/at work.

It’s a shame that for some people making themselves or other people happy = buying stuff

Don’t have a problem with it but check yourself if you’re competitive isolating and have something to say about roofers/ gardeners/ window cleaners etc. at work. Also if you’re moaning about walkers and joggers. If you are doing both of the above you’re an absolute cretin.

I’ve spent the day preparing deliveries for people

On a skeleton staff now.....this isn’t fair. I’m knackered and not seen my family much this week at all

Those of us remaining have had enough. The workload is too much,there aren’t enough of us in work anymore

It needs to stop

My 2 year old is normally at nursery 5 days week. Now he's at home full time for the foreseeable. We have very few supplies for baking, craft, playdough creative play etc as he normally does that at nursery. Have had to stock up. Tried to do all of it online in one go though to minimise the number of different people involved.

Zero guilt.

The risk is minimal to all concerned with careful management, and it is far better for people to feel comfortable and happy at home, and still having access to the things they need, than to completely stop all deliveries which may cause unnecessary hardship. Anything that can assist in keeping people in their homes, and not out is good for all of us.

Not all deliveries will be luxuries, some will be absolute essentials for people. Such as bulk deliveries of nappies, incontinence pads, shoes, medicines etc.

We do need to keep deliveries going, and we need to keep the economy afloat as much as we can. I do support their continuation.

It’s not like we can just draft in agency staff to spread the load either

@WhateverHappenedToBathPearls

Thanks.

I was pondering the ethics of this earlier. I don't know.

However, I don't think it's a great idea to give money to a business that might not be trading tomorrow.

There's also the fact that we are entering a recession that it's unclear how and when we are ever supposed to recover from. I am going to hold onto what little money we have, though it may (will) be worth even less come the summer.

I got an Amazon delivery today. The poor driver was so stressed that I felt really bad about it. He said they don't have enough drivers, they are being expected to do far more than they can. But we are told to order online rather than going to shops.

It’s the definition of unnecessary hardship that’s the killer here really isn’t it, and speaks to mn’s class bias.

Not having new clothes from hush = unnecessary hardship

Warehouse packers forced into work packing non essentials = necessary hardship

There are posts on this thread from people who work in big warehouses, even if you think i’m being a wanker, and tbf I don’t blame you if you do, look at what they’re saying and listen to them

I’m working from home (for a charity)
So far had to order a shredder, printer ink, stamps and a mouse mat
I’m also just about to buy quite a few secondhand phones and sims as in process of setting up a telephone befriending service for those isolated by Coronavirus
If this goes on for a while I will need some down time - I’ve already ordered some knitting wool
If I’m not going to frighten my colleagues at virtual team meetings will also need some hair dye soon!

Those of us remaining have had enough. The workload is too much,there aren’t enough of us in work anymore

But that's your employers' fault, not the consumers' fault.

However, I don't think it's a great idea to give money to a business that might not be trading tomorrow.

Does that apply to small local businesses too? This virus is going to wipe out lots of small businesses in my town - if I can buy something from them remotely it might be the difference between them making rent and not.

There aren’t enough drivers so they struggle alone with anything heavy

Health and safety has gone out the window in an effort to keep a retailer in business

We can’t continue WITHOUT THE STAFF!!

@adaline
So they will stop the deliveries. Sometime this week most likely. Our employers cannot draft in staff where there are none

Come on then adaline, explain how the warehouse staff force their employers to not be greedy exploitative cunts to them i’m sure they’re all ears

I've had to order clothes for DD as she has picked up a keyworker role but had no suitable clothing. DS is on a massive growth spurt so no doubt I will have to buy clothes for him shortly. I've also bought games to force the teens to socialise rather than being stuck in their rooms.

Some selfish attitudes here. "risk is low." yes, it's low to you. Is it low to the delivery driver? "it's legal" yes, but so was the pub last week. Doesn't make it a good choice.

When even a Conservative government is valuing Lockdown over the economy, it's time to rethink.

That said, I do understand there might be scenarios where things may be essential to some, but not others. Colouring pens for a 4 year old - could be essential. A new phone for someone socially isolating - could be essential. I'm considering trying to get an exercise bike as it might be positive for my mental and physical health. Right now it's not essential, but it might be if this continues.

We all need to make our own judgements of what is essential, but please don't use "the economy" as your reason. If it was a valid reason, there would be no Lockdown.

Agree about the economy. Workers are actually making sure they can be safe apart and if you go onto websites it tells you what steps they are taking.

I've looked on IKEA to order the lounge stuff I've wanted for ages. It's actually the time to do it.

I'm WFH so can pick my hours to some extent and ds isn't swimming 6 times a week!

I has the same thought as you. But ikea for example are only delivering what can be carried by one person. I live first floor with no lift. So I can tell delivery guy to leave downstairs and ds and I can carry up together.