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?

*Maybe if I ordered some poncey candles I'd feel all better, ay?
Possibly. If you really liked candle and loved having one lit in the evening

Is there literally nothing that is giving you a little bit of pleasure at this time that involves having to spend money to some extent? Whether that was a really nice coffee? A new book?

I will keep buying things to keep the economy going!

I'm surprised at how many people are echoing that sentiment. There is a group of 'comfortably off' people I've noticed who are openly committing to continue to patronise small businesses etc. I'm don't think they understand that they may not be comfortably off in future once we start repaying what this is all costing and businesses go under once the 80% net is removed. Those of us fortunate enough to be able to use non-essential services and buy luxury items may find we can't afford to in the future.

Enjoy those cushions and scented candles...

Personally I have been ordering things online - things like washing powder and skin cream for my parents, a couple of books and a few things or organise cleaning stuff for us. Some things haven't been absolutely essential, but I try and order things together, and there hasn't been a ruling to say don't do it.

Maybe if I ordered some poncey candles I'd feel all better, ay?

Maybe you will maybe you won't. You have the choice. You have the option to completely self isolate. To not order anything . To not see or talk to anyone for however long. And that's ok.

Allow others the basic curtesy of having a choice too.

My recent delivery was left on the doorstep. Brought it in with rubber gloves (which were washed with soap and water afterwards) left it outside the back door, it’s still there over 48 hours later. I can’t see the problem.

So much sackcloth and ashes here.

I work in retail but I've been furloughed. I miss work, work keeps me mentally healthier than not working.

I don't want my company to go under and if I could go to work right now and be able to practice social distancing then I would, and I'm high risk.

If we only buy what we "need"

• we will all lose weight
• *

Hmmm that sounds like a plus to me. Reconsidering position.

@saraclara why so patronising? I am sure Just fully understands the implications of her workplace going under. I’m sure like absolutely loads of people she’s spent the last few weeks doing nothing but weigh up making a living vs looking after her health and that of others around her. It’s something a lot of people are facing and they have no choice about it. The hospitality industry has been wiped out but people aren’t going ‘fuck it i fancy a pint let’s keep the pubs open’

Life is changing beyond recognition for everyone but that doesn’t make it ok to force people into work in unsafe conditions when it’s non essential

While the rest of your household are not required to adopt these protective shielding measures for themselves, we would expect them to do what they can to support you in shielding and to stringently follow guidance on social distancing.

As long as your toddler is not hugging other people outside the home he is fine to hug his dad AND go out for a walk with you.

I run an online shop (Etsy), it's the only wage coming in as dh owns a limited company so we're not eligible for any help. I'm doing £100-£200 sales per week, I print postage and drop in letterbox on my daily walk, don't come into contact with anyone, please don't stop ordering online!! Companies rely on this, including delivery drivers who are almost 100% self employed and won't have any help until June. Online shops with large warehouses will have policies in place to keep workers apart, we had to update health and safety for dh's scaffolding company, it's standard procedure.

If you don’t agree with online ordering of non essentials then you are perfectly entitled not to.
However, other people will want to and not be judged for it.
I’m still at work as I’m a key worker. I have just ordered some non essentials and, as I’m still helping the economy, I don’t feel remotely guilty for it

When people had the ‘basic curtesy’ [sic] of having a choice about going to the pub, or driving to the seaside, or getting their roots or nails or lashes done just 9 short days ago, they chose what they wanted to do. They followed their selfish wants and they did as they pleased and i’m sure not one of them thought they were being selfish. I am sure every single person who acted in a foolish risk taking way those last few days before we got locked down had a really good reason for choosing their choice. They were looking after their mental heath, they were supporting the economy, they hadn’t specifically been told NOT to, etc etc. And look what happened.

@saraclara yes I know!! I honestly can’t understand how YOU can’t understand that we are all putting ourselves at risk and lives if those we live with, to keep these businesses going

I’d rather people were alive tbh.... but as long as your kids get their plastic tat eh

I've done a John Lewis order of some nice shower gel, soaps and make up along with gin and chocolate.

Have ordered candles from the tiny independent candle company that I always use (who are in my opinion betttee than Diptyque)

And have ordered some summer dresses and socks from M&S.

As long as these companies offer the service I'm going to shop online. Especially my favourite candle company.

@ProfessorPootlehow can you keep workers apart when they are ordering certain lawnmowers/timber/furniture/white goods etc etc??

It’s a 2 man lift of less than a metre distance..... once to pick it, once to load it and then again to unload!

I was wondering about this myself earlier. A company I get threads from for my cross stitch sent out an email saying they're still working and taking orders. I was really tempted to buy a few kits to keep me occupied, but I'm genuinely torn.

I don't know if it would be selfish to, or if the postie will think I'm an utter arse, so I'm holding off.

In April/may I'll be buying birthday presents for my partners birthday and my daughter's 1st birthday. It's unlikely we'll be able to go to the zoo and spend the day together and then see family over the weekend like we'd planned so she can atleast get presents and a cake.

@JustStayAtHome mumsnet is full of people who have no idea what it’s like to lie awake at night debating the toss up between risking your health and becoming financially destitute. Fucking thousands of them.

@Leighhalfpennysthigh what’s the name of the candle shop?

When people had the ‘basic curtesy’ [sic] o

Yeah I made a spelling mistake. Not too bad so far considering English is my second language. Don't worry I googled it so now I know.

Courtesy

As my local authority has now suspended all garden waste collections until god knows when, I have ordered two compost bins because my garden is very very overgrown and I cannot just ignore it for several months, plus it means I get some fresh air and exercise which will help keep me sane. I will also be ordering herbs, compost and pots online.

@MadameButterface I know! It’s almost as frightening as this bloody virus is!

People are starting to have enough though. Self isolating sitting at home on full pay is sounding more and more tempting tbh. That’s never been my work ethic but I’m fed up of all this selfish buying of non essentials

I am going to try to not buy from large companies but small ones. My friend has an online store - it’s just her and that’s her income I am sure there are many others like her

I'm also on the fence about this. It's also not that easy to say what's essential, people have different needs and priorities.

Pros:

• small businesses really need the support; it's easy to say the economy doesn't matter if you're on full pay at home but people losing their jobs and businesses does have a huge impact on their wellbeing and mental health!
• many couriers are also self-employed and not eligible for government support if they lose the work (and still need to feed their families)
• smaller businesses especially have put measures in place to keep staff safe (many are family run anyway and people who live together, can of course safely work together)
• deliveries are contactless
• post and parcels are considered a very unlikely source of transmission
• the government has directly encouraged online business

Cons:

• some large companies still don't care about their warehouse staff (there was a story about ASOS over the weekend)
• it's unclear how many postal workers and couriers are working in close proximity with others during the sorting process at delivery offices and depots; this is the most "invisible" part of the process and could be a risk to the workers
• staff numbers are down so postal workers are likely struggling with the increased workload and working long hours

I have to order online for my dog food, can't get anywhere else. He cant eat any other food or else or he would be seriously unwell .