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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If Old and Vulnerable are prioritised...

234 replies

NotVulnerableStillHungry · 31/03/2020 08:47

...what the fuck is everyone else supposed to do?

Ocado - prioritising elderly and vulnerable
Waitrose - prioritising elderly and vulnerable
Sainsburys - prioritising elderly and vulnerable
Iceland - prioritising elderly and vulnerable
Morrisons - can't tell as 19014 in the queue trying to get in.

Prioritising the elderly and vulnerable is great, obviously, but it doesn't actually work if you don't have capacity to serve anyone else. Because then it's not prioritising! It's saying "We will not serve you if you are not elderly or vulnerable".

And surprise, surprise, people who aren't vulnerable still need to eat.

So I cannot get anything from any supermarket either delivered or to collect (and I've expanded my search area to 8 miles from my house, nothing). And my local co-op is stripped bare of literally everything except milk, chocolate biscuits and aunt Bessie's frozen yorkshire puds. What good is that, to anyone?

OP posts:
AthelstaneTheUnready · 31/03/2020 09:31

YABU. My parents are in their eighties, with underlying conditions.

They have been told not to, and dare not, go out to the local supermarket or shops. They ran out of fresh food last week and can they get a delivery? Can they buggery.

You and your non-vulnerable legs can walk, get a bus, whatever. They can't, and the nearest is 12 miles away anyway.

I can't believe you seriously mean this, that your desire to have your shopping done for you and delivered to your door, is more important that other people's ability to actually get any food at all.

I have NEVER bunned anyone before, but here Biscuit

EmeraldShamrock · 31/03/2020 09:31

To those genuinely vulnerable that can't get slots could you ask a neighbour or try a local charity. I'd be happy to grab a few bits for a vulnerable neighbour.

mochajoes · 31/03/2020 09:32

my mum is on the shielded list but I can't get a delivery for her at all.

nowaitaminute · 31/03/2020 09:32

OP There's ppl around the world who travel through warzones with their children on their back...you CAN manage a bus journey or two to a shop to get some food!

Applesandpears23 · 31/03/2020 09:32

We’ve just ordered food from these guys on recommendation of a friend of a friend. shop.wattsfarms.co.uk/ they have lots of stuff and I think you should be in their catchment.

Iwantitidontwantit · 31/03/2020 09:32

Oreoed is correct about the shielded group. My dad is on that list and called last week. Had a food box delivered this morning. No fresh meat but enough other food see him through week. So definitely worth calling the number listed.

Original poster
NotVulnerableStillHungry · 31/03/2020 09:32

Zone 2 also, but the shops are still made. I went out at 7:10 this morning and still nothing available.

We have as much as we can being delivered (milk and a fruit box) but everything else is running out. My trusty red lentils are gone and all starchy carbs are nearing the end with no chance of replacement.

Knock-Knock-Groceries are doing deliveries but the prices are extraordinary and the wait list is about 2.5 weeks.

OP posts:
Mustbetimeforachange · 31/03/2020 09:33

DH is on the shielded list. Can't get delivery because the accounts are in my name so they won't prioritise us.

MangePasTesOnglesVilain · 31/03/2020 09:34

FourTea

I'm an existing Sainsbury's customer and it didn't help if that makes it any worse or better.

The food box thing was heavily publicised..but for one person. We are family of six and isolating as a unit.

Applesandpears23 · 31/03/2020 09:36

You are getting a hard time but my advice to everyone is to look on local facebook groups to find unusual food suppliers near you. There is lots of food out there but it is at businesses that supply restaurants and cafes.

mochajoes · 31/03/2020 09:36

Most areas of zone 2 has loads of smaller supermarket stores/corner shops crammed in. I reckon I could walk to 15 plus in a mile or so.

You may have to deviate from what you usually eat. I had potatoes delivered.

Escapeistheonlyoption · 31/03/2020 09:37

In reality they are not prioritising though. I have accounts with sainsburys, morrisons and ocado which are all regularly used. We have over 70s and 1 person with a shielded letter but have had no contact or access to slots.

We are fine , Morrisons have been amazing and haven't cancelled a pre planned delivery yet with everything arriving- but that is just a standard delivery booked before this.

My 85 year old mother is an online sainsburys shopper- they also have a highly vulnerable letter and have registered online. No contact from sainsburys and they cant get a slot or get in touch.

This isn't a complaint at all- I think they are all doing as well as they can. It is just a fact.

This
I'm on the shielding list, so meant to stay indoors for 12 weeks. It is impossible to get a home delivery slot, so it's not just you who can't get them. Those of us who need them can't either.

woodlandwalker · 31/03/2020 09:38

Luckily for me, I've managed to get on the vulnerable list for Sainsburys as I have health issues.
As someone who doesn't drive and always shops online, I was frustrated before I got on the list. You can't carry much without a car so would need to go shopping frequently and we aren't supposed to use public transport.

EmbarrassingMama · 31/03/2020 09:38

I think we might live in the same area OP! Also Zone 2 and we can't get anything either and the Sainsburys would be a 6 mile round trip on foot!

We have probably got another week left and are going to the NISA and the corner shop daily but usually return home empty handed.

iVampire · 31/03/2020 09:39

I am in the vulnerable ‘shield’ group with the government letter

See my posts on several other threads on this theme

We are not getting priority with all supermarkets, and definitely not with Ocado (with whom I have been trying with zero success for some time)

The Govt hub only offers food parcels, Ocado direct enquiries on how to register to the hub. So we are stuck in the middle with no deliveries.

So you have more options than the exceptionally vulnerable

We have to rely on the kindness of volunteers

You can do that, but you can also go to shops

Inkpaperstars · 31/03/2020 09:40

Apart from Iceland, I don't know anywhere that has any prioritising for over 70s or people with underlying conditions unless they are on the shielded list. In practical terms I am not sure what being on the shielded list does to get you an actual slot either, particularly since many places are letting people register.

Do you have any friends/neighbours/family who are elderly and vulnerable and for whom you've been trying to get a slot? You might find out that isn't possible either.

I do get that it is difficult. Keep checking the availability of the Morrisons boxes.

Pandoraslastchance · 31/03/2020 09:40

I dont understand why you cannot get a bus/taxi to the supermarket and do your shopping.

I'm in the shielding group as I'm on immunotherapy for breast cancer . I cannot get a delivery for love nor money. Stop complaining, this is tough for everyone. I'd love to be able to pop to the shops but you know what? I'd much rather live to see another week.

MangePasTesOnglesVilain · 31/03/2020 09:40

Escape exactly, it's just another aspect of a truly shit situation.

Compared to what's happening in hospitals it is less important. But it will undermine the purpose of the lockdown if vulnerable, disabled and elderly can't get supplies without going out. And that adds to the hospitals problems.

HibiscusCotton · 31/03/2020 09:41

I’m finding it tricky, autistic child, working and no car (broke down) as well as a large family. I’m now making frequent trips to the shop at odd hours getting incomplete shops. And now dh is ill, we need to isolate and have nowhere near enough food. People are happy to do the ‘I’ll get a loaf of bread’ but not shop for a family of 6!

Quarantina · 31/03/2020 09:41

You can walk to shops further away, get a taxi, or catch a bus. It's not ideal or convenient but these are your options. Would you really want elderly and vulnerable people to lose their delivery slots and risk serious illness/death so that you can avoid being inconvenienced?

HarrySnotter · 31/03/2020 09:41

Do you live on your own with toddler OP?

I'm afraid you just have to suck it up like the rest of us and do the best you can.

Redcherries · 31/03/2020 09:42

Think of it this way. Those not in the shielded category will likely be prioritised for medical assistance if they get really unwell. Us shielded people are likely to be left to pass away with limited intervention.

The shielded people have priority to receive food as we aren’t allowed to leave our houses at all, if a family member brings back the virus from the supermarket and we catch it we will create further pressure on the nhs which reduces the ability to treat more people who are more likely to survive. (I’m sure they will at the very least try to keep us comfortable as we die)

Lots of local businesses here are delivering to all, it takes a bit of digging but hopefully they are there. The biggest tip is to join local Facebook groups as the small shops that don’t have websites are posting on them to offer delivery.

Oakmaiden · 31/03/2020 09:42

it just seems r_ to me

Please don't use that word.

Hiphopopotamus · 31/03/2020 09:42

Get on a bus OP.

silentpool · 31/03/2020 09:42

It isn't great. We are being told to stay indoors and yet are being forced out to shop. I don't want to do that as in London, invariably you end up with people right on top of you.

I am also not sure why I should be put at risk? I am not officially vulnerable but do tend to get very ill with respiratory illnesses so am trying very hard not to get Covid-19. So I do have a coveted Waitrose delivery coming on the weekend (booked weeks ago) and I will have to buy a ridiculous amount so that I do not need to go out. No good choices here.