To be too freaked out to go to the supermarket?

[MayDayHelp]

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?

Think about it. If it was that bad in a supermarket every member of retail staff would be off with it. But they aren’t and until very recently had no PPE and see hundreds of people every day.
You being in a quieter than normal shop for half an hour is pretty safe.

I’ve read that how bad your symptoms are depends on the initial ‘viral load’ your body is faced with, meaning if you’re in contact with large amounts of the virus it’s more likely to overwhelm your immune system and lead to more severe symptoms. (Eg: In this NY Times article)

Spending a long time in close proximity to an infected person is a good way to get a high dose of the infection whereas there’s unlikely to be a large amount of the virus transferred to your hand from things like food packaging or briefly moving within 6 feet of a cashier to put in a PIN number. This makes me think so long as you maintain social distance then chance of picking the virus up are low but that even if you do pick it up it is likely to be in a low quantity meaning the symptoms are unlikely to be severe. Obviously we should be taking sensible precautions like hand washing and keeping our distance from others but there isn’t a need to completely isolate yourself at home and avoid necessary journeys like shopping if you’re healthy as the risk is likely to be very low.

Well, in an extraordinary turn of events I just managed to get a click and collect slot with Tesco. Not until 23rd April so will probably have to do a supermarket shop in between but at least that’s one less I have to do.

I’ll repeat what I said on another thread - it was absolutely delightful in the supermarket yesterday - well organised and calm, with people getting their supplies quick and efficiently. Unlike pre-CV, with people pushing in, loitering and blocking shelves with trolleys, and unruly groups who view the supermarket as some sort of social outing. I’d be perfectly happy if they left the current measures in place forever.

We found it helped to go as early as you could, and honestly, despite my wishing I was wearing a crinoline to enforce social distancing towards the end of the second visit we had to make, it really wasn't too bad. That was in both Morrisons (really well organised) and Asda (fine at the start, not quite so good when it got a bit busier towards the end, men in particular don't seem to get this "social distancing" malarkey, with some men in my age group - early 50s - or older being the worst. Though there was one 60-ish lady who appeared to think it was Supermarket Sweep a la Dale Winton! She was the exception though, most people were being very sensible).

We made a very detailed list beforehand, and the other thing that might help you, if you know the shop, is to make a plan beforehand of where the various aisles are to minimise the amount of time you spend in there and also to have a couple of alternatives just in case what you'd usually get isn't available - though Asda had a one-way system anyway which was semi-effective.

And I did also wrap one of my pashminas round my nose and mouth just as a bit of a precaution; we ordered little cloth masks weeks and weeks ago but they have literally only just arrived. We also do have some high thread count Egyptian bed linen (300 TC+) which will be being repurposed very shortly. Next time we have to go I will wear a mask. People think the masks are to protect them from other people; they're not; they're to protect other people from anything you might inadvertently be shedding, especially if you're an asymptomatic carrier. That's what people don't get about places like Japan and Hong Kong and Singapore; it's socially responsible towards others to wear masks when you get so much as a sniffle. I've seen a few people wearing masks out and about but nowhere near as many as I did the winters of the couple of years I spent in Japan a long time ago. Though I did have to smile wryly at one lady I passed here who had her mask on upside down (there was no opportunity to tell her, she was too far away).

The staff at both locations were super; Asda also wiped the trolley handle over as I went in and I gather from a neighbour's message that at Waitrose they wiped them as you went in AND as you came out. We did also keep some anti-bac spray in the car to spray as soon as we came out on our hands and keys as an extra precaution. (No, we did not stockpile, this is spray we've had for months. I never thought the day would come when we'd be regarded as preppers but actually I think we've been doing it subconsciously for a while...though again, Asda and Morrisons both had hand soap. Can't remember about the gel though.)

I havent been to the shops for nearly 2 weeks and was dreading going today, but it was fine. A little eerie because it was so quiet. Because everyone is going in on their own you dont hear people talking to each other, and no kids. I went to Aldi first. There was a long queue of apx 10-15 people in the car park, so I drove on to Lidl. Only about 4 people queuing, got in in a out 5-10 mins. Inside you can wander around like normal, it's just there are a lot less people. A few times I had to wait for someone to move away from an area before I could reach in and get what I wanted. Queuing to pay took longer as only one person at a time was using the conveyor belt. The shop assistant was behind perspex. Everyone was very respectful at keeping distance. Now I know what to expect I wont be so nervous. I did wear disposable gloves which helped me feel less nervous. I only saw one elderly lady wearing a face mask. I've written quite a lot so you know what to expect as often it's the unknown which is actually more scary. As a treat for myself I also picked up a pretty little red plant!

I haven't been on a 'big' shop for 3 weeks now. Just been lucky getting online deliveries and have a few booked over the next two weeks. My anxiety goes into overdrive at the thought of going near asda or tesco etc at the moment!

I've been really criticised by a number of posters about going out for a 20 min walk at 10pm and not meeting anyone whatsoever - on MN but :

• I was cared for faultlessly by an NHS worker at 11am this morning BUT it was an a car queue, I sat in the back seat and she delivered my injection in full face and gown protective gear - there were many cars behind us for (I do not know what but I could hear coughing):
• cannot get an online supermarket shop slot; would be criticised for actually going to the shops in person.

So - you decide.

I did stock pile (I have kids) but bring it on - all you oh my goodness you have gone outside - types.

I dont understand your hysteria. You have no underlying problems. Even the experts say almost all except the over 70's and those with autoimmune disorders such as cancers will have anything other than a mild cough.
Do you watch anything other than the news? Have you done your own research?
If you are in contact with people at risk I understand your concern but we gave been told over and over by experts that if you are not a seriously at risk person it's just mild symptoms.

Btw, we have been self isolating because we have all had symptoms - me (high bp: fine), 2 babies, cough and temp both fine and 21 year old DS again fine.

Is there a specific reason for your hysteria?

Sorry meant to say me, just fine, and 2q year old had a cough and temp for a week and is just fine.
Maybe I'm a skeptic since my course in media studies which teaches you how media manipulates the masses.

@Bubblebu interesting that you don't mention here why you are not supposed to be going out and why posters were concerned in your situation. I don't think it's fair to imply people were trying to say someone who is not vulnerable should not go out at all.

Bubblebu what’s wrong with going out for a 20 min walk? . I go out for an hour walk every day, so does most of my town’s population by the look of it, I am a regular walker anyway but never seen so many people out walking, jogging & cycling , all keeping a distance from each other of course.

Chill out. If you were going to the supermarket normally until a week or so ago, it's probably safer now than then with all the distancing rules etc and it's quieter.

Yes the virus is serious but we're not being kept in because it's dangerous out, it's to slow the spread.

I went yesterday and it was fine, very calm and organised (Waitrose). We were asked to leave our trolleys in a shelter rather than at the entrance so they could wipe them and put them back. I take a Dettol wipe in a plastic bag anyway and do the bit you hang your bags on too. Tbh I used to do this in flu season and when norovirus was going round anyway.
Slight problem in the queue when a man cut the 8ft I’d left in half by standing with his brother then hysterically barking at me to LEAVE ME SOME SPACE! (I was moving back anyway). This would normally have upset me but he was scared and stressed and Iwaswearing a mask so maybe that alarmed him as no one else in the queue was wearing one (or gloves).
Inside it was calm, 15 people at a time, all went round quickly and efficiently. Only one adult in at a time (so Shouty Man didn’t get in with his brother anyway).
It won’t be my favourite activity next time I have to go but it wasn’t as difficult as I thought.

I went to the massive tesco near us for a big shop last night (8:30 ish). And honestly it was really nice! Much more peaceful than normal and quiet!
It was quite stressful for me as I managed to get a wonky trolley and was shopping from 3 lists (neighbours), but the place was great!
I kind of wish it was always so peaceful!
Although there was one couple who seemed to be going at a similar speed to me and apparently couldn't grasp the one way system - must have passed them several times.
there was a lovely moment when we made a polite little queue to browse the biscuits - I wanted to look but there was a lady there already, then another lady pulled up behind me! All very polite and maintaining our distance!

I went to Sainsbury’s on Tuesday expecting a nightmare, but it was very relaxing in the end. Queue for 10 mins outside first then hardly anyone in there. Loads of space.

I decided to brave Asda this morning as not been out since last Monday but didn't end up getting out of the car, the queue was snaking around the car park, I've honestly never seen anything like it! I drove home and will try again later and hope for less of a queue!

I'm working up to it next week. I've been popping in weekly to greengrocer for fruit & milk. A real supermarket seems a bit daunting.

I'm planning on making a proper sorted list with all veg together, all dairy together etc so hopefully I won't miss anything. I'm slightly concerned that I'll panic, grab milk and run out!

I'm also concerned about the queuing. Local supermarket was reporting a 4 hour queue! I'm hoping Lidl will be better.

Last week after staying in the house the entire week I was dreading doing the supermarket shop, I felt as through I was on the verge of a panic attack. This week I forced myself to go for a brisk walk at least once a day even if it was just round the corner, I think its made me a tad mentally stronger this week and i'm dreading the supermarket trip a little less.

You just have to take a big breath and go for it. I did mine today, and I was struggling a lot on the way there. I already struggle badly with severe anxiety and the whole situation right now has blown it out of control. I found that once I was in the shop I calmed down. Now I'm safely tucked up at home until I have to do it all over again next week!

I work in a supermarket and worry sick about going into work
But if customers do what there told it's quite quiet and much nicer. But some customers dont keep to the distancing rules and constantly telling them to keep away from each other