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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be too freaked out to go to the supermarket?

71 replies

MayDayHelp · 02/04/2020 22:46

I’m being careful to only go out when absolutely necessary. I haven’t been in a supermarket for over 2 weeks, but have been managing with bits that I’ve picked up in the small shops in my town.

By some miracle I managed to book an online shop over a week ago, which was delivered today. We have plenty of food for now but I’m already starting to panic about when that runs out! I know the chances of getting another delivery slot are remote and actually I’m sure there are people who need them more than me so I’d feel bad to even try.

It seems counter-intuitive to lock ourselves away from everyone, only to go to the supermarket? But then is that any riskier than going to small local shops which is my only other option? There are food box schemes but I have 2 dc with ASD who have sensory issues around food and a very limited diet, so I wouldn’t be able to feed them with a food box where you can’t choose the contents.

I’m in my late 30s with no underlying health issues that I’m aware of so chances are I’d be fine, but If I did end up getting it and dying then my dc would have nobody (I’m a single parent). But then I’ve read that we’ll all get it at some point anyway, so if it’s going to happen it’s going to happen.

I’ve got myself in a right all panic about it, AIBU?

OP posts:
Petiolaris · 02/04/2020 23:10

OP have a look on your local Facebook pages. Many small businesses like butchers, grocers, milkmen etc are delivering. It costs a bit more but it’s worth it if it means you don’t have to go out.

Whatevernext1 · 02/04/2020 23:12

@MayDayHelp thank you for your kind words,it's so hard to know if I'm overreacting as not been in for a while and it was really not a nice place to be when this was all starting. I can't afford to lose anymore money after being off for these two weeks. I honestly don't know what to do.
Sorry for jumping in on your thread.
I suppose we just all have to do what is right for us and our families during this time and take as few risks as we can.
Stay safe everyone.

hammeringinmyhead · 02/04/2020 23:16

It's not too bad, I promise. I put gloves on, don't touch my face, pay contactless. Then get home, carefully remove gloves and throw them outside. Wash hands, unpack everything, chuck bags for life in porch - not by the handles, wash hands again. I don't wipe the shopping even though I touched it with gloves but I feel safe enough if I handle packaging carefully at the point of eating.

Original poster
MayDayHelp · 02/04/2020 23:16

@Whatevernext1 that’s really tricky, I guess you wouldn’t even be entitled to UC if you left your job voluntarily? I don’t think you’re overreacting at all, I think shop workers must be just as terrified as NHS workers.

OP posts:
Original poster
MayDayHelp · 02/04/2020 23:18

Just a question about the contactless thing - that’s only for up to £30 isn’t it? When I’d go I’d be planning to spend more like £150 so I wouldn’t have to do it again for ages!

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 02/04/2020 23:22

They did raise the limit for contactless to £45 today, but still not high enough for a big shop. But then they have to retain some security in case you lose your card...

@Whatevernext1, hopefully the thought of going in will be worse than actually doing it. Flowers
Is there anything you could do 'out the back' so to speak?

Original poster
MayDayHelp · 02/04/2020 23:25

@sparklingbrook thanks, that’s good to know. Means I can make sure I’m under that amount for fuel etc now.

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 02/04/2020 23:30

That reminds me I need to sort my BP App out, it means you can fill your car up and get back in the car to pay on your phone. That would be v useful right now.

Pipandmum · 02/04/2020 23:32

I'm stealing myself to go to the super Tesco near me tomorrow. I do have a delivery next week but I've run out of a few things plus with my kids at home full time now we're going through food faster than anticipated.
I have a spray sanitizer that I'll use on the trolley and I use the self scanner. I think there will be a queue to get in. I'll try to keep my distance from people but it will be hard - you can't walk past someone in an aisle without coming in to closer contact, but unless they are actually coughing or sneezing the millisecond it takes means risk is very low.
I went to a farm shop a couple weeks ago and if more than two people in the shop you are automatically within 6ft including the cashier. She said it was packed that morning so smaller shops are probably more risky unless strictly monitored.

Original poster
MayDayHelp · 02/04/2020 23:32

That’s a great idea. Wish there was a BP garage near here!

OP posts:
TwoleftUggs · 02/04/2020 23:40

I’ve felt exactly the same way @MayDayHelp and only went out for the first time today because my supplies had just about run out. Is worked myself up into a right state about it but in the end it wasn’t so bad. It still wasn’t ideal and people got in my way and didn’t keep 2m away but the store was big enough and empty enough for it to be mostly ok.
I’m getting basics delivered by my milkman - milk, bread, eggs, juice and potatoes, so it’s really just a dash round to get fresh veg, meat and a top up of the cupboard bits.
I’ve always shopped in the past every couple of days, so my bills are normally £30-40. Today it was over £100 so no chance of contactless Grin but I won’t have to leave the house again now for another 7 or 8 days.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 02/04/2020 23:40

I went to Tesco this afternoon - a smaller Tesco Express. They had hand sanitiser at the door, and stuff to wipe down baskets. I kept my (outdoor) gloves on, and just carried what I needed (bread, milk, salad stuff) rather than use a basket, and paid contactless. There were Perspex screens up, and the shoppers all kept good distance. One woman and I kept laughing as we met one another in every aisle and both went round the other way.

My tip is to just bring your card in your coat pocket, so paying is quick and easy rather than faffing about with your bag and purse.

I haven’t been disinfecting shopping, but just washing my hands thoroughly when I get in. Keeping gloves on means I don’t touch my face, and I am not directly touching anything with my hands in the shop. I think I might wipe down groceries if I was going to use something immediately.

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 02/04/2020 23:40

Unless you're in a particularly vulnerable group, to assume that going to the supermarket is "risking your life" is a bit OTT - what about all the people working there FGS?
yes, we'll all die one day - but even with CV19, a short trip to the supermarket is not a 100% certain death sentence.

GabsAlot · 02/04/2020 23:43

Tesco has a cleaning station now as you go in no need to being your own spray

hammeringinmyhead · 02/04/2020 23:43

I only mentioned contactless as it means I can stand further back from the cashier and waft my card, but you could use self checkout in which case it doesn't matter so much as long as you wear gloves or wash hands afterwards.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 02/04/2020 23:43

Oh, and Deliveroo here are doing M&S delivery, obviously the amount you can get is not massive on a bike, but might be useful for bread, milk, and other bits for someone. They will bring wine!

bridgetreilly · 02/04/2020 23:45

Top tip which you can have for free: tins of baked beans don't need to go in the freezer.

PickAChew · 02/04/2020 23:47

Tesco have a wall of cleaners and sanitisers for you to use, as you enter. For a supermarket that I generally hate, they're pretty on it.

thenightsky · 02/04/2020 23:48

I braved my first supermarket shop on Monday. My anxiety is through the roof at the moment and it took me days to build up courage. I went at 7pm and there was only a queue of 2 people. Once in store there was 2 people to each aisle. We all stood in taped off squares to queue for the till and move forward one at a time when a staff member called out for the next free till.

I have a DS with SN and sensory issues and have been worrying like mad about feeding him, but stuff ran out this week and he's been a bit stressy but today actually tried new stuff!!! I'm hoping I can keep this tiny step forward and work on it.

Original poster
MayDayHelp · 02/04/2020 23:53

Grin I’m well aware that tins don’t need to be frozen, that was in response to the poster who suggested getting massive tins from the wholesaler and splitting them down.

OP posts:
Original poster
MayDayHelp · 02/04/2020 23:55

Good tip about keeping card in my pocket, I’ll do that.

No deliveroo here, I live in bumfuck.

OP posts:
Alsohuman · 02/04/2020 23:56

I’ve been to the supermarket every week and will be going again tomorrow. It’s the highlight of my week, it makes me feel remotely normal. The fact is that we’re all going to get it - or most of us will. For the vast majority of us it will be mild or symptomless. I know I’m unusual but I’d quite like to get it and have it over and done with.

Original poster
MayDayHelp · 02/04/2020 23:59

I can relate to that alsohuman, will be relieves to get it out of the way and not have the fear anymore. Probably not great timing NHS wise though.

OP posts:
Alsohuman · 03/04/2020 00:02

That’s really reassured me - I thought I was totally weird!

turfsausage · 03/04/2020 00:17

Up to half a million people die per year from the flu (which has a vaccine). If you're normally scared of supermarkets because of the flu then yes u should continue to panic. If not, then take a deep breath, remind yourself that it is not all that bad, you're going to almost certainly get through it, and try to live your life. Do some gardening if u have a garden. Pe with joe? He's very cheerful. Your kids are gonna pick up on your anxiety.