Banning Easter eggs a step too far

[VivienScott]

I’ve just read that some officials are cracking down on shops selling Easter eggs as it’s non-essential. Isn’t this all going a bit far now? Easter eggs aren’t essential but a chocolate bar is? Feels like some people are letting a minuscule bit of power go straight to their heads.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52090441

Some people need to engage critical thinking and stop being dramatic.

Read the article. Even the Daily Mail article is wishy washy and the black dye in the blue lagoon (“Ruined beauty spots”) has been done before to stop swimmers as the lake is heavily polluted (knowing the DM possibly a fake story or rehashed picture?)

An ACS spokesman told the BBC that “only a few members” had faced this “heavy-handed” approach A FEW MEMBERS

As the story refers to “officials” it is not the case that police officers are going around banning Easter eggs. Perhaps one ill-advised Officer or two and/or trading standards official has upset someone by being dictatorial? No one is banning Easter eggs. Get a grip.

Even if people were to deliver eggs could they not just drop them on the doorstep and wave through the window? There has to be a balance here between slowing the spread of coronavirus as much as possible and allowing life to continue to the extent possible.

I think the point is not so much about Easter eggs as the over zealousness of some police officers.

Sadly, the public has steadily been losing respect for the police for some time now, particularly as they seem to be unwilling to actually solve real crimes. Now, suddenly they have the resources to police people's shopping bags and exercise routines. Naturally the public's reaction to this will not be positive.

It is actually quite serious if the public has no respect for the people who are supposed to be upholding law and order in a time like this. That is what leads to rioting.

I think this crisis is also showing up that, although many people are community minded and will play their part to help others, there seem to be a sizeable minority who see it as a good chance to "tell" on their neighbours and castigate people for wanting to have the slightest bit of pleasure during a very worrying time which appears to have no end in sight.

I think we are seeing both the best and the worst of human nature at this time but my main concern is that the authorities do not alienate the populace. Yes there are the twats that break lockdown rules but heavy handed reaction to that will be counterproductive in the end.

Luckily I have never see as few policemen around as now in my area. I haven't seen a single one for a week.

Agreed. The wonderful people are being extra wonderful and trying to help and reassure everyone else, and the petty, vindictive, selfish people are letting their worst impulses run free.

Idiot local police did fucking bag checks outside Sainsburys the first day. I used to like the police but have lost a lot of respect for them over the last week. No way would I be showing them the contents of my bag, they can bloody arrest me first.

Banning easter eggs? Crazy, some massive knob ends in officialdom it seems!

Viva you saw this?

I haven’t seen any but I haven’t been to Sainsbury’s for a while.

Bag checks for what? The govt guidance doesn't ban people from purchasing anything in particular.

Exactly, they were checking to see if the contents met their imaginary standards of what constituted essential groceries. People getting told off for chocolate, etc.

Didn’t see it myself but a friend did and it was all over FB with multiple people saying they’d witnessed it.

If this is true, then a public backlash is imminent.

But on a more light-hearted note, I wonder what Boris is trying to hide? I can just imagine him saying "Oh... er… I don't want the public finding that out. Find something to distract the proles with. Tell them they're not allowed to buy Easter eggs."

They do apparently enjoy policing people's food purchases, or arresting teenagers for not telling them where they live.

And checking people's thinking.

It’s just fluff. It works though to get people riled.

Is there any public body that police making up rules as they go along can be reported to? My worry is that if they get away with trivial bollocks like this it may escalate.

I'm a general prepper. Things like chocolate and sweets are seen as important morale boosters for children (and adults). Which is why I got Easter eggs for my family early. Not because I am a smart arse but because I know how important that kind of thing is.
It's my DD's birthday shortly and I tried to get bits in for her well in advance for exactly this reason.
Numbskulls should have asked preppers.

DH is a copper and he would very much agree that chocolate is a staple food

Totally agree, it's because the uncertainty makes us all anxious and this is one way of controlling things

Yes, exactly.

It’s not an official thing - it’s just some police officers. Probably at one or two stores only. No need to panic. Chocolate eggs for everyone 😂

DH reckons it'll be the PCSOs doing silly checks 😂

I've heard of two people in our town receiving fines as they've been caught leaving Asda with just Easter eggs or a corner shop with just beer, as it was a treat not an essential shop.

This is bollocks. Show me the legislation that allows for this.

Didn’t see it myself but a friend did and it was all over FB with multiple people saying they’d witnessed it.

If you didn't see it yourself why on earth would you accept that it's true? People spout loads of rubbish on Facebook.

Well I’ve put an Easter egg on our shopping next week, we’re doing our own Easter celebration as we’re Christian.

Some people, including on mumsnet , won’t be happy until we’re all existing on bread and water with nothing to do to keep us occupied

This with spades on.

it's a pity to treat the entire population like children, but it seems common sense is long dead and people need to be forced to do something, they can't manage on their own

Oh come on! I refer you to the first point.

The police in this country police by consent. Yes it is clear some are getting a little power and its going to their head. We should be extremely worried about the public allowing the police such power and we rightly should be questioning it.

Someone on another thread had the gall to call her elderly neighbours 'fucking selfish cunts' for going to the newsagent each day to buy a newspaper as part of their daily exercise. Unbelievable vitriol from someone judging others to be 'breaking the rules'.

Ultimately we are adults in a free democracy and if we choose to buy easter eggs or a newspaper and place ourselves at increased risk, then that should be our choice. Mumsnetters/social media users/(and some) police should wind their necks in really. Do what is right for you and stop frothing at other people's choices. The police should absolutely NOT be interpreting government advice and I am fairly sure they will be receiving a bollocking advice from the government regarding this.

(Before people snipe back at me, we are following all the requests our government have asked, shopping infrequently and staying at home).

Has anyone seen it or is it all on FB?

They've already been made, they aren't taking any essential items off the shelves.