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Original poster

To feel nothings left for average families

365 replies

Aubrystrawberry · 02/04/2020 10:00

I fully support the vunerable and elderly getting special times to shop and think it's great that some supermarkets have kept slots for them. But.... Is anyone else feeling like it's a catch 22 for families? Especially ones with kids.

I have managed to get one slot in April through Asda. It was pure luck! I have children aged 2 and 4. My partner's still working all week and he's worried about catching this virus like the rest of us. We are trying to stay home because I'm anemic and don't know how dangerous it would be as I've been quite poorly. It's not recognised as a huge problem but I've read that we don't have enough red blood cells. (I've made another post on this)

Anyway I've just been on Asda to try add a couple of things on and see how much is now out of stock. It says I'm not allowed to amend until 2 days before it's delivered now. Fair enough. But for god's sake.

I've been on Iceland this morning and they put up a bright red warning that if I'm not elderly or vunerable there are no slots.

Morrisons said they have no slots at all anywhere.

Sainsbury's the same.

Tesco's the same.

I went on Amazon to try do a pantry shop. Nothing on there.

Luckily I get milk delivered. But it's becoming a nightmare trying to work out how i will get food in a couple of weeks time.

What do they expect from people? We are slagged off if we dare take a child or two in shops. We are judged for even being in town with kids. Not everyone but quite a few are vocal about it on our local page on Facebook. People are taking pictures of people trying to get them in trouble for being irresponsible. I'm trying to be responsible and keep the kids indoors and us out of germy shops with mucky trolley handles. But I'm being told on all supermarket websites we should go to the store If we can.

I am not sure how many more weeks this is going on for, but like many others we don't want to risk getting this virus so we want to stay home.

I guess there's nothing we can do. But I think the elderly and vunerable have had a fantastic amount of help and support as they have special times to shop, slots online, volunteers shopping for them. It just feels like families are being treated like vultures for wanting to feed their kids.

Also I didn't panic shop and now I wish I did!

OP posts:
motheroftwoboys · 02/04/2020 18:55

We are both working from home and my DH is high (not highest) risk as he has heart failure so I am doing the shopping at local shops. Bit of queuing but shops are quiet and no shortages. One of you stay at home with the children. One go shopping. Simples.

peterlon1 · 02/04/2020 18:57

Ah @motheroftwoboys I'd say DH was quite a high risk

peterlon1 · 02/04/2020 18:58

@MitziK you haven't answered my question did you test positive for Coronovirus???

MitziK · 02/04/2020 19:01

Well, the GP seems to think that I have it, as does NHS 111 for some strange reason, as I'm still short of breath and it's turned out that I have been in close contact with several people who have ended up in hospital (one of the UK hotspots)- I'm not personally at the point of requiring the services of a ventilator, though, so no swabs poked down my throat.

But as you're in London and are so confident I don't have it, perhaps you'd like me to pop around and have tea with you? I don't cough that much and I've stopped having the flood of clear mucus pouring down the back of my throat like water at random moments.

MitziK · 02/04/2020 19:01

Sorry, dear, was a bit busy coughing to type as quickly as usual.

motheroftwoboys · 02/04/2020 19:03

Thanks @peterlon1 but he is ok. People who are highest risk have been notified by the NHS and they are those with seriously compromised immune systems. He is "higher risk" so is working from home and only going out to exercise. He works for the NHS. Wink. However I am relieved that we decided it was safer not to see our sons on Mother's Day as the older one has since had the virus. He had a shitty few days but is ok now.

totorocatbus · 02/04/2020 19:05

This has irritated me so much I've had to comment! I'm a nurse with anaemia & b12 deficiency,
hypertension, morbidly obese (apparently!). My husband is in a very vulnerable category with insulin dependent diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, and some other chronic term health problems. We have teenagers. I am still working in the hospital and about to be redeployed to covid 19 ward. Guess what, I'm still doing the full supermarket shop in person after a 12 hr shift! Get a grip!

peterlon1 · 02/04/2020 19:06

Didn't say you didn't have it I was asking if you had actually been tested positive? to which the answer is no, so everyone is assuming you have it because you have symptoms, which we all know can also be other things. But no one can say for certain? and I hope you have not got it I don't want anybody to get it. yes you can have tea with me save me the job of joining my wife myself, seeing as they saved me last year stupid buggers.

youkiddingme · 02/04/2020 19:06

I'm disabled and my husband is high-risk, but we're not technically elderly. Our daughter is disabled and housebound but she's young. Nothing special in place for us either as far as supermarkets go. So yes, trying to get those elusive delivery slots is a major problem for lots of us.

peterlon1 · 02/04/2020 19:08

@motheroftwoboys glad to hear your son is recovering well.

DC10 · 02/04/2020 19:09

Personally I'd avoid the big supermarkets as they seem to be very busy and you'll come into contact with a lot more people. Do you have a Marks Simply Food near you? The Marks food store near us is very empty during the day - I doubt they'd object to you taking the children in. The Aldi next to it on the retail park was heaving. I know there's a price difference but needs must.

peterlon1 · 02/04/2020 19:10

@totorocatbus feel for you, and know where you are coming from did my stint a few years ago, unfortunately ill health and physical mobility meant I had to quit. I hope you stay well and as safe as possible. They never think at who they are putting where at times do they?

m0therofdragons · 02/04/2020 19:11

I've done online shopping for 6 years and now have to go to a shop. It's a pain but realistically I'm 38 and in good health. I usually shop at ASDA, Waitrose or Tesco (depending on delivery slot available - no brand loyalty). If I have to go to a store I'm considering Morrisons just to make a point (a really pathetic one). Supermarkets are making loads right now so I'd quite like my monthly delivery fee back if they can't offer me any slots.

peterlon1 · 02/04/2020 19:15

@DC10 someone told me on here other day that M&S hadn't put any special measures in place, quite frankly the supermarkets are adding to the mindless panic with their actions, what they seem to forget is they have air con which has to be on and their fridges pump out cool air so they are just circulating any viruses or otherwise that are in the air around the store so really doen't matter how far we are from each other.

MitziK · 02/04/2020 19:20

@peterlon1 Mate, you wouldn't want this. Going by the 'well, yes you're one of the vulnerable groups, yes you are immune compromised, yes, we do believe wholeheartedly that you have it, but you're not actually dying, so stay at home as you were until you are' symptoms, this would not be an easy way.

peterlon1 · 02/04/2020 19:27

@Mitzik I am nobody's mate my soulmate died 2 and half years ago so I really don't care what happens to me. Last year I had the infection of all infections and was in so much pain the usual morphine I live on daily had no effect. I pleaded to die cos of the pain. and I'd quite happily stop my meds tomorrow but I know the buggers would do the same as the last time I stopped them! lock me up and force them to me one way or another been there done that. so I am biding my time to the next infection and not bother to ring anybody stupid fool last time but the pain was just too great.

peterlon1 · 02/04/2020 19:28

now it's time i left before I depress people

BMW6 · 02/04/2020 19:44

Is OP ever going to bother explaining why her DH can't get the shopping while she stays at home with their DC??Hmm

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 02/04/2020 19:59

Of course your OH can go and shop (since you have been ill) but your children simply don't need to be taken. Send him to the shops once a week, you stay home with kids... done.

BlueCheeseNoWay · 02/04/2020 21:36

@peterlon that's lovely but we're managing just about. 😊

ochreheart · 02/04/2020 22:16

@ochreheart how rude. Why should she give up her slot. She found it and even if it was released who's to say it will be given to a more at risk person everyone is doing the best they can and trying to keep their families safe. Goodness sake

Well, @twinkle2306, happily I received this message tonight from Tesco...

we are are working with the government to ensure the most vulnerable customers have priority slots. We will be in contact with customers next week who have received a letter from the government.

ochreheart · 02/04/2020 22:20

Here's the message

To feel nothings left for average families
Xenia · 02/04/2020 22:28

My sons did th eone big weekly shop tonight - they said tesco at 8.30pm had no queue at all. I think workers are back from work by then and all the housewives and old people locally prefer to go in the day so that might =be a good time for people to try with he added bonus that the husband can put the children to bed or deal with them if they are still up at 8pm

twinkle2306 · 02/04/2020 22:52

@ochreheart doesn't mean the slots will all go to them. It could be that a percentage does it they implement additional slots as most have done. Once again you have no idea who a cancelled slot would or could go to